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News

Taste of Agroecology: MPs explore power of nature-friendly farming at Westminster event

United Kingdom
agroecology
climate action
food security
food system
Government

MPs gathered to learn directly from farmers and landworkers how nature-friendly approaches to agriculture can help to tackle pressing national challenges at an event which the NFFN helped to organise.

MPs were given an insight into how supporting nature-friendly approaches to farming could play a vital role in tackling major challenges such as the climate and biodiversity crises, public health concerns, and food security.

The Taste of Agroecology event, held at Westminster on Tuesday (17 December), was organised by four leading farming and environmental organisations: the NFFN, the Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA), the Real Farming Trust and Sustain.

Politicians had the chance to taste delicious produce from across the UK (including cheeses, chutneys, sliced meats and cider) and speak to nature-friendly farmers, landworkers and organisations while also viewing artwork on the 10 principles of agroecology on display.

Discussions highlighted how agroecological farming practices can not only help transform food production into a system that works in harmony with nature, rather than against it, but also have substantial economic benefits and improve resilience to climate change.

The event followed the 2024 General Election which brought a significant influx of new MPs, many with limited prior experience in rural affairs or food system issues, into the House of Commons. 

Photo by Jyoti Fernandes

Jenna Hegarty, NFFN head of policy, said: “We want to inform and inspire the new intake of MPs, demonstrating how nature-friendly farming can help address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

“Farmers across the UK are already demonstrating how agroecological practices can boost biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, ensure the viability of farm businesses, support resilient local food systems and economies and protect long-term food security. We hope the event gave MPs food for thought and encouraged them to become strong advocates for the support nature-friendly farming urgently needs and deserves.”

The new parliament begins its work at a crucial time for farming and the planet. Urgent action is needed to keep as close to 1.5°C of warming as possible, and agriculture has a critical role to play both in adapting to and mitigating climate change.

Parliaments across the UK are also in the process of transitioning from the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to new devolved farming support schemes. The event’s organisers are calling for these schemes to be as ambitious as possible in promoting nature-friendly farming practices and enhancing biodiversity.

We hope the event gave MPs food for thought and encouraged them to become strong advocates for the support nature-friendly farming urgently needs and deserves.

Jenna Hegarty

The event was also supported by the Soil Association, the Woodland Trust and Pasture for Life. It was organised o behalf of Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton in Somerset.

Robert Fraser, farmer and executive director of the Real Farming Trust, said: “Farmers are feeling disenfranchised. Their social contract with the government to transition to nature-friendly, agroecological practices is under severe stress, if not broken. 

“I hope this event showed what is possible and allowed MPs and Peers to talk to farmers about their work and understand what is needed to create a fair and workable system that delivers good food and nature recovery on farms across the UK.”

Jeni Taygeta, LWA mobilisations co-ordinator, said: “Now is the time to revolutionise our food production system into one that works for people and planet, not against them. Nature-friendly, agroecological farming can cool the Earth and act as a vital carbon sink. 

“For too long farming has been undervalued, access to land unequal, and the right to food denied. This was a chance for Parliament to see what the future of food could look and taste like if agroecological practices and principles of diversity and food sovereignty are supported.”