As the UK enters a new political era, 2024 marks the first party conference season following the landmark general election that swept Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour into power. With the first 100 days of Labour's Westminster government almost behind us, much anticipation surrounds what lies ahead, especially for nature-friendly farming.

The NFFN attended all four major conferences in September - the Greens in Manchester, the Liberal Democrats in Brighton, Labour in Liverpool, and the Conservatives in Birmingham. Our goal was to engage policymakers, participate in panels, and advocate for the critical role of sustainable farming in addressing biodiversity, climate, and food security challenges.

Here are seven key takeaways from this year’s party conference season:

Takeaway 1: Nature-friendly farming is gaining recognition across all parties

The 2024 party conferences made one thing clear: nature-friendly farming is increasingly recognised as central to delivering biodiversity, climate solutions, and healthy food production. The focus is shifting towards how we manage the land and the role of animals in driving positive change.

Takeaway 2: Labour - A crowded conference with new faces

Labour’s conference was packed, filled with newly elected MPs, many still finding their feet - managing new roles, responsibilities, and building policy knowledge. The main themes at the conference revolved around energy, the national grid, and the core elements of Labour’s mission. However, despite recognising the importance of nature, there was little clarity on future farming policies. We noticed a growing awareness that farming must be seen not just as food production but as a key driver in creating multifunctional landscapes, delivering a range of benefits, and linking with policies around trade, supply chain fairness, and more.

Takeaway 3: Uncertainty looms over the agricultural budget

A shared concern across all party conferences was the agricultural budget - one of the few decisions made by the UK Government that is crucial to all administrations across the UK. There’s widespread uncertainty about how much the government is willing to spend and how it plans to use tax and incentives to drive their policies. The lack of information and a coherent vision from the government is creating a sense of paralysis and uncertainty. The consistent message we heard was that nothing can move forward until the budget is announced, delaying progress. For farmers, and indeed developed governments,  this uncertainty is making it difficult to plan. The NFFN looks forward to working with the government and new MPs to demonstrate the true value of nature-friendly farming in delivering a range of outcomes supported by both public and private finance, and how this blend can be effective. 

Takeaway 4: A call for greater ambition

As the first 100 days of the new Westminster government draw to a close, it’s clear that progress on future farming support has been slower than needed. While much hinges on the budget, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) could still offer more certainty now, particularly around the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM) and its key components. Some positive steps have been taken, such as the rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan, which should clearly outline how the Government will meet a range of environmental targets and commitments, with nature-friendly farming playing a central role. But overall details remain sparse. If the government is serious about delivering nature recovery goals, and supporting a resilient sector, we urgently need more ambition and clearer direction on the future of farming.

Takeaway 5: Green Party - Farming as a solution for climate and health 

At the Green Party conference, the vital role of nature-friendly farming was recognised, not only for biodiversity and climate action but also for producing healthy food. Discussions focused on how we can change our relationship with the land and rethink the role of animals to support positive environmental outcomes.

Takeaway 6: Liberal Democrats - Growing influence in key committees

The Liberal Democrats were proud to highlight their growing influence in Parliament, boasting 72 MPs and the leadership of several important committees. Notably, through Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, they now chair the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee - a first for an opposition party in many years. They aim to act as a “critical friend” to the government, ensuring accountability and providing constructive opposition.

Takeaway 7: Conservatives - Leadership questions and slow progress 

The Conservative conference was dominated by speculation about the party’s new leader, with much attention on its future direction. Throughout discussions, it was widely acknowledged that, despite passing key legislation like the Agriculture Act and Environment Act, progress on climate, nature, and farming policies has slowed or even stalled over the past couple of years. This hesitation has resulted in many outcomes remaining undelivered. There is hope that the next leader will recognise the importance of these areas and drive progress from the opposition.