What we eat and how we produce it is having a profound impact on nature, the climate and rural communities. Seventy per cent of UK land is farmed, meaning farmers must be well supported to change their practices, remain resilient and able to produce food in a time of environmental crisis.

Following Brexit, England is moving to the new Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM) to support agriculture. At the same time, global instability and volatile weather are putting the spotlight on food security, while supermarkets want more for less from farmers and do not pass on a fair share of their profits.

The transition to ELMs is giving us a once in a generation opportunity to transform the way we produce food, putting people and the environment at the heart of farming policy. It can ensure farmers are fairly paid, that big companies act more responsibly and that the power of nature is harnessed rather than harmed.

In this briefing, which we have produced in collaboration with the Nature Friendly Farming Network, we provide some key facts and actions for government to make the most of this opportunity.

For more information, contact:
Lucy Pegg, senior political adviser