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A growing population in the UK but we have to lose 10% of farmland.

(106 Posts)
David49 Fri 31-Jan-25 08:54:38

It’s a lot more than 10% of farmland being lost currently more like 25%+ and what there is yielding less because of regulations restricting inputs. Whole estates, several thousand acres are being taken out of food production
We are heading for shortages, a sensible government would reverse many of the restrictions the Tories brought in, whether Labour does that remains to be seen.

petra Fri 31-Jan-25 08:53:15

You can have solar farms and crops sharing the same space.

www.agritecture.com/blog/2022/2/3/largest-farm-to-grow-crops-under-solar-panels-proves-to-be-a-bumper-crop-for-agrivoltaic-land-use

foxie48 Fri 31-Jan-25 08:46:19

A lot of agricultural land is not very productive. Mine is heavy clay, useless as arable and has limited use for stock especially as we seem to have so much rain. Now I don't have horses it's used for sheep for a few weeks each year and we take a cut of haylage in the summer which goes to a local livery yard. The rest of the year it provides privacy and a lovely outlook for our nearest neighbours. Most of the land here is like this, still sells for £10k+ an acre though!

RosieandherMaw Fri 31-Jan-25 08:40:49

MORE than 10 per cent of farmland in England is set to be diverted to net zero and protecting wildlife by 2050, the Environment Secretary will reveal today.

Swathes of the countryside are on course to be switched to solar farms, tree planting, and improving habitats for birds, insects and fish.

The move is part of a consultation being launched today by Steve Reed on how the competing priorities of food production, net zero and nature should be reconciled in England.
Yes, I know it’s the DT but this was what I found this morning

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimates that 9 per cent of farmland would need to be removed from food production by 2050 to meet green targets,. A further 5 per cent is expected to be mostly taken out of production owing to a decreased level of food output, and another 4 per cent will share space with trees

GrannyGravy13 Fri 31-Jan-25 08:36:19

Are you referring to the solar panels that are going to be installed on farm land?

Sago Fri 31-Jan-25 08:34:26

The Labour government are beyond belief.
How are we going to feed a growing population if we have to reduce productive farmland by 10%?
Is there something I am missing?