On Monday 13 June, the government published its long-awaited response to the National Food Strategy review.

Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy set out a bold and ambitious vision to make British food that tackles farming's role in addressing the nature and climate emergencies. But our government has responded with little more than a rehash of old policies and statements which could weaken their previous commitments to nature.

Our global food systems are reliant on thriving natural systems to provide healthy soils, safe and plentiful water, beneficial pollinators, and a stable climate, and investing in nature will be key to securing food security.

Debbie Tann, CEO of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: 

"In the face of political and economic uncertainty, the Government must hold fast and stand by their commitments to put nature back into recovery and future-proof farming for a changing climate by building local resilience to our most pressing challenges, including flooding, drought and degraded soils.   

"Whilst the Government may be tempted to park these priorities in the face of immediate pressures, this short-sightedness will, without doubt, undermine the health and security of both our farming industry and wider society.  

"Investing in large-scale nature recovery shouldn’t be seen as in conflict with farming, it is the only sustainable future. Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy demonstrated how we could achieve sustainable rural livelihoods and ensure long-term food security by rewarding farmers for nature’s recovery and supporting them to produce food in ways that regenerate natural resources, rather than deplete them. 

"The Environmental Land Management Schemes are the best hope we have of meaningfully investing in restoring damaged ecosystems and securing the future of farming in the UK. Now is the time for the Government to invest in our future, not put it at further risk."