Track the progress of the NFU's lobbying work on Defra's Land Use Framework for England, which aims to support decision making on how we use our land.
The NFU recognises the growing number of competing demands for land use, but has warned that food production cannot be overlooked, and must be given the same priority as legislated environmental targets. We are therefore making the case for a multi-functional land use strategy.
NFU publishes Building Farming's Resilience report
NFU publishes its report Building Farming’s Resilience, calling for a multifunctional Land Use Framework that gives food production equal priority with environmental delivery. The report is published for the NFU's Conference.
New Environmental Improvement Plan published
Defra publishes its revised Environmental Improvement Plan. This prompts renewed calls for a multi-functional Land Use Framework that gives food production equal priority to environmental delivery.
NFU launches vision for the uplands
The NFU launches its uplands report, demonstrating how government, farmers and partners can work together to achieve a confident, sustainable future for the businesses at their heart.
The report calls for a national, multi-functional land use strategy that balances priorities and avoids conflicting pressures on uplands areas.
NFU President gives evidence
At a special Efra Committee evidence session on the Land Use Framework, NFU President Tom Bradshaw highlights the need to invest in homegrown food production and recognise that food security is critical to the nation’s resilience.
NFU publishes its response to the consultation
In its consultation response, the NFU has said that, in order for the government to deliver on its commitment that food security is national security as well as targets and commitments for housing, infrastructure and the environment, any Land Use Framework must be underpinned by sound science and evidence, with food production at its heart.
NFU hosts regional meetings
Approximately 30 NFU national and regional meetings are held to gather views of members.
NFU members also attend Defra regional workshops on the Land Use Framework consultation.
NFU calls for multi-functional Land Use Framework in its Blueprints
The NFU publishes its Blueprints, calling for a multi-functional Land Use Framework that manages the risk of significant competition between land use categories, based on robust scientific evidence, and avoids long-term or irreversible change to the productive capacity of farmland
NFU launches survey to gather member views
The NFU launches and online survey for its members to help inform its response to Defra's consultation.
Consultation launches
The government has launched a ‘national conversation’ on its Land Use Framework with a view to developing a new, strategic approach to land use in England.
Launching the consultation today, Defra Secretary Steve Reed set out a focus on maximising the potential of multiple uses of land – a key NFU ask – incentivising multi-functional land use that includes food production, non-food production (such as for energy) and delivering for nature, while unlocking opportunities for private finance.
NFU publishes key policy asks
The NFU publishes its policy asks ahead of the government's consultation on a Land Use Framework.
The NFU is conscious that there are huge demands being made on land including the needs of agricultural production (food and non-food), for leisure and recreation, requirements for biodiversity net gain, protected landscapes, and the need for economic and residential development alongside national strategic infrastructure.
Given the finite land area of the UK, and the importance of UK food security in volatile times, we believe that it is important that our countryside remains a multifunctional and dynamic space.