The government has been urged to adopt policies that would make the UK more self-reliant as the future of Britain's post-Brexit farming system will come under the spotlight.
An event from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) saw some of the UK's most innovative farmers in Parliament discussing the issues they face yesterday.
The cross-party group of MPs and Peers is led by five co-Chairs: Daniel Zeichner MP, Jeremy Lefroy MP, Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer, Baroness Jenkin of Kennington and Countess of Mar, and Baroness Young of Old Scone.
The Group works to encourage the adoption of agroecological principles and policies within all relevant departments of government.
Hosted by Jeremy Lefroy MP for Stafford and APPG for Agroecology co-chair, the event and exhibition ‘Farmers in Parliament – Opportunity for Change’ took place on Wednesday.
"The UK now has the opportunity to take an agenda setting approach to its food and farming legislation and governance," said Mr Lefroy.
"It can adopt policies that would make us more self-reliant: enhance biodiversity, mitigate climate change, support small and family farmers, and encourage much-needed new entrants. We must make the most of this chance to craft a better framework and be wary of simply reinventing what we know."
'Food security one of the most pressing issues'
Some common themes emerged which reflect some of the greatest issues facing our world today: food security, environmental protection, sustainable production, individual and sector-wide economic resilience, and the call for a beefed-up government department – or a new independent agency – with the expertise and ability to lead as we navigate our new path.
Mr Lefroy said: "Food security is one of the most important, pressing issues facing the UK, particularly in a post-Brexit environment. Following agroecological principles is not inconsistent with this need, and should in fact enhance food security in the long term."
"The adoption of agroecological principles, policies and practices across all relevant departments of government will be key to building a 21st century food and farming policy that is economically rich and robust, while operating sustainably in the truest sense of the word.
"That is the discussion we hope to bring to the fore both with the APPG on Agroecology’s post-Brexit food and farming briefing and our Farmers in Parliament event."
Farmers in Parliament 2016 features farmers, and food and farming NGOs from a diverse assortment of farms around the UK.
All sectors of the food industry are represented from dairy to traditional mixed farms, organic and community growing initiatives.
Those present have been selected because they illustrate the variety of ways in which agroecological, sustainable farming and food production may achieve financial viability.
