Introduction
“A sustainable future for UK agriculture may only be achieved by balancing economic viability, environmental responsibility and social acceptability through the adoption of new and existing management practices.
Sustainability is not a peak that can be conquered without further improvements, as the tools, technologies and systems that were sustainable in the past or present may not be so in future. For example, science relating to livestock health, welfare and environmental impacts has resulted in considerable changes to the ways that livestock are housed, fed, bred and managed over thepast three decades.
A clear and immediate need exists, however, for the UK agriculture to demonstrate dedication to reducing negative environmentalimpacts, and to do so in an evidence-based manner that allows progress to be benchmarked and communicated. It is crucial to set appropriate targets, with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions being the most urgent area of focus.”
Prof. Judith Capper, Harper Adams University
Primary policy issues
Support: ELM must include provisions to help England’s farmers curb energy emissions. In the ELM Transition, there is real concern over the potential impact of change from EU CAP support. The House of Commons Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee has issued a critical report (Oct 2021) that highlights concern over the impact of ELMS on farming livelihoods. The biggest UK agricultural policy change for 70 years, this will have a major impact on farm businesses as they navigate the transition from CAP while dealing with the climate emergency. The report finds ‘failure of communication’ is putting the most significant policy shake-up English farmers will have experienced at risk, at a time when they are also reducing emissions.
Whether it is emissions or policy reform Neil Parish MP (chairman of the Select Committee) commented, “This [ELMS] is the most fundamental change to agricultural funding in a generation and the impact of this huge change … cannot be underestimated … and must be … able to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Government appears to be determined to plough ahead … without considering how this will impact on farmers’ livelihoods and the environment.”
Methane: Farmers recognise that methane and ammonia emissions are key concerns – the issues of gas potency and livestock emissions (from meat and milk production). There is a need for new measures to curb methane and ammonia output from fertilisers and ruminants and to cut overall GHG emissions. Future measures such as carbon taxation must not solely impact UK farmers. Policy should encourage better resource management and identify technical solutions, such as changing ruminant diets and methane capture to address consumer demand and the UK’s ‘Global Methane Pledge’ commitment. Action should include more support for research into measures to reduce emissions. This can include feed preparation solutions such as straw chopping to ease digestion to curb methane output in ruminants.
Subsidised Farm Diesel: prior to 2030, replacing fossil fuels on farms must be a priority. The ‘red diesel subsidy’ (currently 81% discount)152 is valued by farmers and critical to their margins – but prices have nearly doubled in 2 years. Replacing diesel is key to meeting the sector’s Net Zero targets. It may undermine UK farmers’ reputation if the red diesel subsidy is not phased out before 2030. Hence, farm vehicles must be included in the grant support for developing zero carbon fuels for non-road vehicles. Adoption-ready low carbon options (biomethane and HVO) will precede likely developments with hydrogen ICE power trains (e.g. JCB). There is a policy disconnect if farmers are paid to sequester carbon on one hand, but effectively subsidised for fossil fuel use on the other. Hence, a timetable is needed for ending the red diesel subsidy, using adoption-ready solutions.
Policy challenges
Farmers & rural businesses should be fully consulted on wider policy change as well. They must also be fully engaged in developing solutions that optimise their ability deliver results on farms and addressing the specific challenges (highlighted in the COP26 Briefing Document):
Soil & Landscape: improved soil management is needed to reverse the damage of recent decades, with changed cultivation methods and nature-friendly systems. Delivery of public benefits includes increased carbon storage in soil or trees and curbing emissions from excessive fertiliser use/soil disturbance. Farmers, individually and in groups can enhance local water course protection. Economic valuation of natural capital will help deliver decarbonisation, restore soil health and increase biodiversity.
Livestock Husbandry: Livestock farmers can reduce on-farm emissions and use locally produced low carbon fuels (e.g. biomethane). Support is needed for practical innovations that curb emissions from dairy production, including methane-reducing additives in feed and improved soil management, learning from practices being adopted on arable farms. Policy on farm emissions must account for the impact of grazing livestock in sequestering carbon to soils.
Land Management: Caring for land and nature, whilst growing food profitably is a complex task. Future policy and regulation should be co-designed with farmers to be as user-friendly as possible. Farmers responsible for 75% of the UK’s landmass must be fully motivated and rewarded for efforts to transition to nature friendly systems. The UK’s countryside is a living entity, and it cannot be managed from desks in Whitehall. Change and innovation risks being stifled by excessive red tape unless farmers can input into policy, including on the delivery of public goods.
Natural Resources: Rural transition means urgent improvement to UK soil and water quality, while boosting biodiversity. The priority for more rapid progress to rural decarbonisation is the need to correct damage to soil quality over many decades. Farmers need supportive policy to help them deliver improved soil management and biodiversity.
Farm Technology: The low carbon transition will require systems change and a technology shift, including novel fuels and vehicle designs, to curb emissions and end soil damage. Investment in robotics and digital technologies is needed to help drive change in farming methods.
Transition Advice: With many novel operations and technology options, farmers and land managers need access to sound, independent, cost-effective advice and information, plus on farm (i.e. working) demonstration sites. In addition to research funding, changes must include farm level funding for professional advisors, farm clusters, and nature friendly farming groups to offer guidance on future support mechanisms and ‘systems change’.
Food vs Carbon: Farmers will need help with mechanisms to increase production of food while being supported in efforts to reduce emissions. They can increase carbon capture in soils and trees. This must not involve the sacrifice of the best land from food production.
Rural Communities: There is a need to mobilise rural communities, particularly in remote and marginal areas, to allow them to play their part in the decarbonisation process. This must include access to extra funding for development of rural infrastructure to meet specific rural needs, especially in more isolated farming areas in Scotland and Wales.
onsumer Education: Changing consumer expectations are reflected in purchasing choices (e.g. less and/or high-quality meat) and their views on waste and recycling. Better environmental labelling on food (including carbon impact), supported by standardised carbon accounting and farm benchmarking, is essential.
Trade Agreements: Efforts to create new post Brexit trade agreements must not be done at the expense of farmers or rural communities. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the importance of supply chains and risks of reliance on imported products, including food. Agreements must not threaten the supply of quality and sustainably produced foods from UK farms.
Agriculture faces a major challenge as it embraces decarbonisation. Farmers and land managers need the support not only of sector bodies and technology suppliers, but also the regulators and policy makers that shape how Government interacts with both farming and farmers.