Our government priorities

The Soil Association is calling for our government to join the dots between the interconnected climate crisis, the nature crisis and the dietary health crisis.

We know the future of farming and land use lies at the heart with a huge opportunity to tackle climate change, restore nature and soil health and normalise healthy diets, but we must act now. The next ten years are crucial.

A chance to reshape the future of food and farming

We often hear that organic can’t feed the world, but this is wrong.

New scientific modelling has shown a future is possible where farming responds to climate change, phases out pesticides and restores vital biodiversity, whilst providing enough food and a healthy diet for a growing population.

Organic farming, agroforestry and other nature-friendly agroecological approaches have a strong part to play.

Soil Association priorities for the government

We want to see a ten-year food, farming and forestry rescue package for climate, nature and health. Our priorities are: 

1. Commit to a ten-year transition to agroecology: climate-and nature-friendly farming such as organic and agroforestry ↓

   This was a leading recommendation of the RSA Commission on the Future of Food, Farming and the Countryside.

   Announce a clear plan to help farmers dramatically reduce their use of nitrogen fertilisers, pesticides and antibiotics for climate, nature and health.

   • Set targets to increase the area of land under organic farming, agroforestry and farm woodland
     
     
   • Support more fruit and veg growing in the UK
     
     
   • Champion outdoor reared, grass-fed livestock (like cows and sheep) ahead of indoor grain-fed livestock farming (intensive beef, pork and poultry)
2. Ensure trade agreements maintain the high standards of UK food and farming and don't move our climate impacts offshore ↓

   Protect the farming sector and UK citizens from low-quality imported food and its impacts on public health and the environment.

   • Ensure UK farmers converting to climate and nature-friendly farming methods are not undercut
     
     
   • Any future trade arrangements should explicitly prohibit the exporting of our climate and nature impact overseas
3. Set out a plan to use government buying power (public procurement) to make healthy and sustainable diets the norm in schools, hospitals and other public settings ↓
   • Learn from Denmark’s 60% organic food procurement and France’s 50% local and organic food procurement
     
     
   • Government buying power must get bolder on creating new markets for sustainably farmed foods, including grass-fed meat.
4. Focus on farmer-led innovation to create a climate & nature-friendly farming future ↓
   • Place confidence in farmers to create a more resilient farming system using appropriate technology and innovation to restore soil health, tackle climate change and close nutrient and waste loops.
     
     
   • A well-equipped farm advisory service and knowledge-exchange network that supports this transition is essential.
5. Tackle the antibiotic resistance crisis with a commitment to high animal welfare standards ↓

   Support farmers to transition away from intensive livestock farming systems that drive routine preventative use of antibiotics to more extensive, outdoor farming that ensures a healthy “good life” for all farm animals.

    

6. Give children a world-class food education for climate, nature & health ↓
   • Commit 50% of the funds from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to school food and food education
     
     
   • Ensure Education Inspection Frameworks, like Ofsted, recognise and award schools giving all pupils the chance to cook, grow and eat healthy, climate and nature-friendly food and learn where food comes from
7. Invest in making diverse, fresh, affordable food available for all ↓
   • Invest in regional and local supply chain infrastructure for processing, marketing and distribution that allows nature-friendly mixed farms to deliver fresh, local food to customers at affordable prices.
     
     
   • Provide the essential funding for growth, spread and development of these new food networks.

• Find out more about our cause

  Discover the causes we are passionate about, and join us in campaigning for better food and farming practices for all!

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