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FAS technical advice line: 03000 200 301
- Key dates to be aware of…
- How can we help you?
- FAS Webinars in March
- CSF Events in March
- Government announces range of new policies to boost profits for farmers at NFU Conference 2025
- Hedgerows consultation on RPA’s regulatory approach: results published
- On-farm advice for your business and the environment
- EA Compliance Case Study - How a small dairy farm in Cheshire improved their slurry storage
- Trees on farm – 5 tips for Environmental Land Management in-field agroforestry applications
- Introduction to Environment Agency Reservoir Regulation Team
- Updates from the Defra Farming blog and industry announcements
- Stay up to date with us
For any land located in an NVZ, this date is the end for quantity restrictions for applying organic manures with a high, readily available nitrogen content. This is subject to compliance with the Farming Rules for Water and there is agronomic justification. (NVZ Guidance)
You must not cut or trim a hedgerow that is covered by the Hedgerow management rules from 1 March to 31 August. You must not cause or permit another person to cut or trim such a hedgerow. Occasions where exemptions occur can be found on GOV.UK
In case you missed them...
For any land located in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), you can, from this date, apply organic manure with a high, readily available nitrogen content (for example, slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge) to grassland and tillage land on all soil types if conditions are suitable and you adhere to the quantity restrictions for applying these manures. This is also subject to complying with the Farming Rules for Water and there being agronomic justification for applying manure. (NVZ Guidance)
For any land located in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), this is the date from which you can apply manufactured nitrogen fertilisers to grassland and tillage land if conditions are suitable. This is subject to compliance with the Farming Rules for Water and there is agronomic justification. (NVZ Guidance)
For more details about the information provided in the key dates table, visit the Rules for Farmers and Land Managers and the relevant pages of GOV.UK.
Key dates for annual declaration submission
To assist Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement holders, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) have outlined the opening and closing dates for the SFI annual declaration submission based on the start date of the agreement:
| Agreement start date | Declaration period opens | Declaration period closes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 March 2024 | 1 January 2025 | 28 February 2025 |
| 1 April 2024 | 1 February 2025 | 31 March 2025 |
| 1 May 2024 | 1 March 2025 | 30 April 2025 |
| 1 June 2024 | 1 April 2025 | 31 May 2025 |
| 1 July 2024 | 1 May 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
| 1 August 2024 | 1 June 2025 | 31 July 2025 |
| 1 September 2024 | 1 July 2025 | 31 August 2025 |
| 1 October 2024 | 1 August 2025 | 30 September 2025 |
| 1 November 2024 | 1 September 2025 | 31 October 2025 |
| 1 December 2024 | 1 October 2025 | 30 November 2025 |
Free and confidential advice
The FAS is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We provide free, confidential advice to help farmers and land managers in England understand and meet the legal requirements in English law around certain farming activities to protect people, livestock and the environment. We update the farming sector on relevant government farming policy that is applicable in England and on the actions that can be taken to help farmers comply with the relevant regulations.
Our website hosts our previous newsletters, technical resources and webinars covering various topics in more detail.
Contacting the advice line:
Farmers requiring telephone advice can contact the FAS technical advice line on 03000 200 301, Monday to Friday, between 08:30 and 17:00. The Rural Services Helpline provides a single number for all FAS, Rural Payments Agency (RPA), Animal and Plant Health Agency, Natural England and forestry enquiries.
You can also email enquiries to advice@farmingadviceservice.org.uk. Our helpline team aims to respond to all telephone and email enquiries within one working day.
You can now speak to our helpline team through the new online chat function on the farmingadviceservice.org.uk website.
The advice given to individual farmers is confidential – we do not disclose any personal or individual information or data obtained during advisory activities.
Join the Farming Advice Service and Heather Wildman, Succession Specialist at Saviour Associates, for a free webinar on Succession Planning in Challenging Times.
With expert insights from the Farming Community Network (FCN), this session will guide you through:
- Effective ways to prepare for a succession conversation
- Strategies to minimise conflict and confusion
- Approaches to asset valuation and legal considerations
- Practical advice and signposting to sources of help and guidance
Whether you're just beginning to plan or facing complex challenges, this webinar offers the expertise you need to navigate a smooth and successful transition.
This online event will be delivered through Zoom; a recording will be made available on the FAS website after the event.
Catchment Sensitive Farming – Free Advice Events in March 2025
| Event Title | Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Toby Carvery Keighley, Bradford Road Keighley BD21 4BB | 03/03/2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 (GMT) |
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Toby Carvery Keighley, Bradford Road Keighley BD21 4BB | 03/03/2025 | 12:30 – 16:00 (GMT) |
| CSF South West - Slurry Wizard Workshop | The George Inn, The Square, Mere, BA12 6DR | 03/03/2025 | 13:00 – 15:00 (GMT) |
| CSF South West - Slurry Wizard Workshop | The George Inn, The Square, Mere, BA12 6DR | 04/03/2025 | 10:00 – 12:00 (GMT) |
| CSF South West - Slurry Wizard Workshop | The George Inn, The Square, Mere, BA12 6DR | 04/03/2025 | 13:00 – 15:00 (GMT) |
| CSF East Mids - Arable Hub (am) | Woodborough Park Farm, Georges Lane, Nottingham, NG5 8PX | 05/03/2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 (GMT) |
| CSF East Mids - Arable Hub (pm) | Woodborough Park Farm, Georges Lane, Nottingham, NG5 8PX | 05/03/2025 | 13:30 – 16:00 (GMT) |
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Selby Livestock Auction Mart, Bawtry Road Selby YO8 8NB | 06/03/2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 (GMT) |
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Selby Livestock Auction Mart, Bawtry Road Selby YO8 8NB | 06/03/2025 | 12:30 – 16:00 (GMT) |
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Hornsea Golf Club - Rolston Road Hornsea HU18 1XG | 10/03/2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 (GMT) |
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Hornsea Golf Club - Rolston Road Hornsea HU18 1XG | 10/03/2025 | 12:30 – 16:00 (GMT) |
| Northern Farming Hub – herbal leys in rotation workshop | Headley Hall, Spen Common Lane, Tadcaster, LS24 9NT | 12/03/2025 | 9:30 – 12:00 (GMT) |
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Darrington Golf Club Ltd - Havercroft Lane Darrington WF8 3BP | 13/03/2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 (GMT) |
| CSF Yorkshire & Humber - Improve Your Soils with Nutrient Management Planning | Darrington Golf Club Ltd - Havercroft Lane Darrington WF8 3BP | 13/03/2025 | 12:30 – 16:00 (GMT) |
Government announces range of new policies to boost profits for farmers at NFU Conference 2025
Speaking to farmers at the NFU conference on Tuesday 25 February, Steve Reed presented new plans to deliver a profitable farming sector.
The series of new polices announced at the conference included:
5-year extension to the Seasonal Worker visa route: Annual quota reviews will ensure the right balance – supporting farms while gradually reducing visa numbers as alternative solutions are developed.
Protecting farmers in trade deals: The government will uphold and protect high environmental and animal welfare standards in future trade deals.
Strengthening Britain's biosecurity: Setting up a new National Biosecurity Centre to transform the Animal and Plant Health Agency animal health facility at Weybridge, investing £200 million to improve our resilience against animal disease to protect farmers and food producers.
£110 million investment in innovation, equipment, technology including:
- The launch of one round of the Farming Equipment and Technology (FETF) Fund in the spring, providing grants of between £1,000 and £25,000.
- New Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) grants worth more than £42.5 million, including competitions focused on unlocking the benefits of precision breeding and supporting the net zero transition.
- Our new ADOPT fund will provide £20 million of additional funding for farmer-led trials that bridge the gap between new technologies and their real-world application, giving farmers the confidence investments in tech will deliver the returns they need.
Extending the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme for another year until March 2026 to continue to support and improve England’s most precious areas of natural beauty.
Government funded vet visits through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to cover multiple eligible species on farms from this week, and from summer farmers will also be able to apply for a visit for every eligible herd or flock of the same species.
Increasing Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) payment rates across a range of options from 2025.
Capital Grants scheme will re-open summer 2025, after a pause in November 2024. All applications submitted before the pause will now be processed.
Continuing the roll out of the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme in a way that ensures farmers and land managers get the right pre-application advice. Details will be confirmed in the summer about the future rollout of CSHT, including the next priority groups who will be invited to join.
For more information, you can review Steve Reed’s full speech on GOV.UK. You can also read Defra’s press notice that was published before the speech and the press notice that covers other announcements in the speech. There will also be updates on Defra’s Farming Blog over the coming days.
Hedgerows consultation on RPA’s regulatory approach: results published
The RPA held a public consultation between 29 October and 10 December 2024, about the regulatory approach to enforcing The Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024.
The consultation offered farmers, stakeholders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the public the opportunity to review the draft statutory guidance.
The consultation covered various aspects of RPA’s regulatory approach such as appeals and proportionate enforcement actions.
Consultation results
On 19 February, the RPA published the formal response to the consultation and the final statutory guidance on RPA’s regulatory approach and the use of civil sanctions.
The approach to enforcing the hedgerow regulations will remain the same following the consultation.
However, some changes have been made to the statutory guidance in response to feedback. Several responses were received which suggested improving the examples to illustrate when different types of enforcement actions will be used. The statutory guidance has been updated to improve the examples in order to help make this clearer.
Comments were also received seeking clarity on the advice-led approach. The guidance has been updated to explain that in serious cases, civil and criminal sanctions could be used in the first instance, if it is appropriate.
Regulatory approach
The RPA will, in most cases, provide advice and guidance in the first instance before taking enforcement action. In some cases, RPA may consider civil or criminal sanctions as an immediate response, where needed.
Hedgerow regulations
The new regulations came into force in May 2024.
The regulations set out the responsibilities for protecting hedgerows on or next to agricultural land, by requiring:
- a hedgerow cutting and trimming ban from 1 March to 31 August (inclusive) to protect active bird nests during this time.
To prevent harm to the structure and health of the hedgerow, the regulations also require:
- a 2-metre buffer strip, measured from the centre of a hedgerow, where a green cover must be established and maintained.
- no cultivation or the application of pesticides or fertilisers should take place within this buffer strip.
You can find guidance on these rules and exemptions in the buffer strip guidance and the cutting and trimming guidance on GOV.UK.
Catchment Sensitive Farming is made up of experienced farm advisers around England, each looking after their own specific catchment. The free and confidential service can be a valuable resource for local farmers, with advice covering topics such as:
- Nutrient, slurry and manure management
- Soil health
- Pesticide handling
- Natural flood management
- Reducing ammonia emissions
- Sustainable water use
- Guidance on farming schemes and regulations.
What does a CSF visit look like?
The backbone of CSF is its one-to-one advice visits – a confidential farm walk looking at the problems you're facing and a chat about what help is available. Impartial support is also offered over the phone or email if an in-person visit isn’t practical. CSF also host regular events across the country offering demonstrations, training, and talks from other farmers and experts. Check our upcoming events to find one near you.
CSF will be at agricultural events and county shows this year, with advisers available for an informal chat or to answer any questions you may have.
If after speaking to your local CSF adviser it’s decided an advice visit is the best way forward, they will arrange a time to suit you. Advisers are often valued as a fresh pair of eyes on the farm and can use their local knowledge to get an idea of where things may need to be changed or improved. A further specialist visit from one of our partners can be arranged if more advice or technical training is required.
CSF Air Quality adviser Ceri Meehan said ‘Step by step, we are cleaning up our waterways, releasing less ammonia into the air and making farms deliver more for the natural environment, in a sustainable way for businesses’.
Contact your local CSF team for free and confidential advice today.
An Environment Agency (EA) inspection in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) found the small Cheshire dairy farm did not have the five months storage legally required, which might lead to inappropriate spreading.
The EA officer explained to the farmer the importance of having the right amount of storage, which reduces the need for spreading at the wrong times and the chance that run-off can end up in water courses.
The farmer agreed they would produce a plan within two months that would demonstrate how the storage capacity was going to be increased. Within one month they had submitted a plan to construct a new slurry lagoon next to the existing one and the EA officer called them directly to let them know this was approved. The officer agreed a deadline for one year to complete work on the new lagoon.
The new storage was completed less than one year after the original inspection and was carried out to a high standard. The EA officer came back to see the new lagoon and said it was obvious that they now had enough storage.
As well as the regulatory benefit (by bringing the farm back into compliance), the new lagoon also means the farm now has over seven months storage and can be confident that they won’t have to spread when it could lead to pollution risks. The farmer commented that it would take away a lot of stress and make managing the slurry much easier.
Trees on farm – 5 tips for Environmental Land Management in-field agroforestry applications
On 14 January the Forestry Commission (FC) published a blog post by James Ramskir-Gardiner (Agroforestry Adviser) on his tips Environmental Land Management (ELM) in-field agroforestry application.
If you are a farmer interested in applying for an in-field agroforestry offer, here are 5 tips for making a successful application.
1. Check whether you're in a sensitive area for tree planting
You can easily check if parcels are in sensitive areas by using the Forestry Commission’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Agroforestry map.
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier options will be available if your parcels are on more sensitive land. In these options, a FC or Natural England advisor will guide you to minimise environmental impacts and maximise farm benefits. Find out more by reading the Higher Tier preview guidance on GOV.UK
2. Make use of the agroforestry plan (PA4) capital item
The plan helps identify suitable agroforestry systems and considerations for tree planting, and creates a field parcel management document for easy management.
It aids in meeting SFI and Higher Tier requirements, with approval from a Forestry Commission or Natural England adviser.
The Agroforestry Plan is required for Higher Tier applications and optional for SFI. It is strongly recommended by the FC as additional support, regardless of the grants or financing you choose.
3. Think about tree species suitability
Choosing the right trees for your agroforestry system is crucial. Start with the Forest Research Tree Species Guide for UK Agroforestry Systems to find suitable trees and management tips. Consult your local Forestry Commission officer for tree health considerations.
4. Consider whether you need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Depending on your tree species choices, spatial arrangements and the location of your land, you may require a forestry EIA. The newly updated Definition of trees and woodland is a really helpful resource to help you determine whether you need to apply for an EIA screening.
If no forestry EIA is required, you may require an agricultural EIA assessment screening from Natural England.
5. Choose the right tree guard
When planting any trees, the protection of them is an important consideration. When using capital items AF1: Plant an agroforestry woodland tree and AF2: Plant an agroforestry fruit tree, you must ensure they are planted with basic protection (such as individual tree shelters).
There are additional capital items available that can be used in conjunction with AF1 and AF2 to protect the trees from pests and grazing animals:
There are also standalone fencing capital items available for both livestock and deer fencing for use on the farm to protect newly planted trees, natural features and habitats such as buffer strips and field corners taken out of management.
Capital grants
The Capital Grants scheme will re-open for new applications in summer 2025. The RPA will process all 4,000+ applications submitted before the Capital Grants scheme closed in November 2024. Farmers who started but did not submit an application will need to develop a new application when the Capital Grants scheme opens in the summer.
In future, Capital Grants will have a maximum grant thresholds to four groups of capital items in the standalone capital offer. An application can include each of the four groups to the maximum threshold for each group.
- The limits will be:
- £25,000 for items in the water quality, air quality, and natural flood management groups
- £35,000 for the group including boundary, tree and orchard items
For advice and guidance on agroforestry, contact your local FC Agroforestry Woodland Officer (AFWO). To be put in touch with your local AFWO, please email GRNationalteam@forestrycommission.gov.uk with your location and they will get back to you shortly.
Introduction to Environment Agency Reservoir Regulation Team
The Reservoir Regulation Team are responsible for ensuring that the undertakers (owners) of more than 2140 large raised reservoirs in England comply with the requirements of the Reservoirs Act 1975 (the Act). The purpose of the Act is to reduce the risk of flooding from an uncontrolled escape of water from a reservoir.
A large raised reservoir is one which can hold more than 25,000m3 of water above ground level, which is about the size of 10 Olympic swimming pools. Reservoirs are categorised as high-risk or not high-risk, with high-risk meaning there is a potential danger to life should it fail.
As the regulator they are responsible for:
- maintaining a register of reservoirs and making this available to the public
- reporting to Defra
- ensuring that undertakers have their high-risk reservoirs regularly inspected by inspecting engineers
- ensuring that undertakers appoint a supervising engineer for their high-risk reservoirs
- ensuring that undertakers appoint construction engineers to design and build their reservoirs
- ensuring that undertakers carry out maintenance and necessary repairs to high-risk reservoirs - an inspecting engineer will have said what is required at each reservoir
- ensuring undertakers report on any incidents
- ensuring that undertakers prepare on-site emergency flood plans for their reservoirs
- sharing the lessons learnt from incidents
- enforcing the Act by working with undertakers to make sure they comply and if needed, warning and prosecuting those that do not
- commissioning engineering services and repairs if undertakers fail to comply - we then recharge our costs to the undertaker
- acting in an emergency if the undertaker is not available or incapable - we may recharge our costs to the undertaker
There are a number of different types of undertaker, including farmers, water companies, the Environment Agency, trusts and private owners. They are ultimately responsible for the reservoir’s safety through employing panel engineers, regular inspections of the reservoir and managing the day to day operation and maintenance.
The undertaker appoints the panel engineers who are required to oversee safe construction, operation, maintenance and regular inspections of the reservoir. These engineers will provide regular reports to us (where appropriate) so we can ensure compliance with the Act.
If you require any further information on the requirements for building, regulation or managing a reservoir please visit GOV.UK
Alternatively you can email the reservoir team on: reservoirs@environment-agency.gov.uk
Defra regularly updates the Farming blog. Please subscribe to the blog to ensure you receive all the latest news.
Housing measures extended and bird gatherings banned to prevent further bird flu outbreaks
On 14 February, Defra announced that bird keepers in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire must house their birds from 16 February. These measures were already in place across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire.
This follows increased findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in wild birds and new cases in poultry and kept birds. Housing measures have been extended to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease in kept birds.
Keepers in these areas must house birds in addition to following the strictest biosecurity standards as required by the nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).
Good biosecurity is the most effective way to protect poultry flocks and poultry businesses. This includes practical steps like cleaning bird housing, equipment, vehicles and footwear, as well as preventing contact with wild birds and rodents.
Check what zone you’re in and the rules to follow using the bird flu disease zone map.
On 10 February, the general licence for bird gatherings was revoked. This means gatherings cannot be held for poultry, galliforme or anseriforme birds in England. This includes ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl.
Gatherings include (but are not limited to) bird fairs, markets, shows, sales, exhibitions and some premises used for dealing or internet sales. Birds from multiple locations brought onto a vehicle and then dropped off at other multiple locations also counts as a gathering.
Read more about the rules on bird gatherings and the latest situation on Avian influenza.
Defra Cereal Stocks Survey
The Defra Cereal Stocks Survey for February 2025 opens on 28th February. The data gathered through this survey allows Defra to estimate the amount of wheat, barley and oats held on farms across England and Wales. The data is also used by the AHDB to produce the UK cereals supply and demand balance sheets. The results ensure farmers, consumers and the wider supply chain make informed decisions this season based on accurate data.
If you have received an invitation email and have not yet completed your form, we encourage you to do so before the survey closes on the 4th April. Grain stocks are a key measure of grain availability, and it is important you respond to ensure your data is captured.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs): have your say
There are 48 LNRSs rolling out across England, covering the whole of the country, with no gaps or overlaps. Each LNRS agree local priorities for nature recovery and suggest the best actions in the best locations, from small nature-friendly adjustments to farming practices to large-scale habitat restoration.
For example, a LNRS may suggest where and what trees could be planted on a piece of land to help slow the flow of water into rivers, which then reduces flooding of more productive land downstream. It might propose where wildflowers could best be planted to boost pollinators which will help crops.
Preparation of LNRSs is underway in all areas, and the first one has been published in the West of England. So, for most of you, there’s still time to shape your local strategy.
Across the country, many farmers and land managers have been sharing their views and helpful information about the land they manage at workshops and events led by responsible authorities (local authorities leading preparation of each LNRS). This is helping to ensure that LNRSs are developed with farmer and land manager priorities in mind.
Read more on the Defra Farming Blog. You can also find a map on GOV.UK which shows who is leading the preparation of the LNRS in your area and how to contact them.
RPA launches new farm visit guidance series for farmers
RPA has launched its first ‘What to expect from an RPA farm visit' video, providing farmers with essential information about sheep and goat identification visits and how to effectively prepare for them.
The video series will form part of RPA's broader strategy to support farmers in meeting their regulatory obligations. The RPA carry out visits for regulatory purposes, but also aim to support farmers by offering advice and guidance to help improve compliance with standards and scheme requirements.
Livestock visits are a legal requirement and may be conducted with up to 48 hours' notice.
In this video Field Officer Ben Hastings goes through the stages of a sheep and goats visit.
He covers:
- records check – on and off movements
- biosecurity protocols
- physical headcount of sheep/goats on farm
- sample ear tag check of 60 animals
- keeper details and replacement tags
- birth/identification
- deaths
- annual inventory
- more advice and next steps
Once a visit is complete, the Field Officer will discuss their findings with you and where necessary, give guidance on how to correct any errors. It is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions as the Field Officer can answer any queries you may have.
After the visit the RPA will send you a copy of the report form completed by the Field Officer, which will detail the whole visit, including any guidance provided. For more information, please see the links in the video description.
ADAS Integrated Pest Management Network (IPM NET)
IPM NET (Integrated Pest Management Network) is a knowledge-sharing network that seeks to improve understanding of IPM and promote effective IPM strategies.
IPM aims to reduce over-reliance on harmful pesticides by encouraging growers to incorporate biological, cultural, and physical pest control methods. Examples of IPM techniques include the selection of pest-resistant crop varieties and targeted chemical use.
Being part of IPM NET will help you review your IPM strategy and identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of your farm.
IPM NET is free to join and open to any interested individual. You can find out more and register here: IPM NET | The Yield Enhancement Network
As a member, you will receive:
- updates on IPM resources, news, and opportunities.
- invites to relevant IPM events.
- opportunities to discuss and feedback on different IPM approaches.
£15 million farm food surplus fund now open for applications
Food redistribution charities can now submit applications for a new £15 million Government scheme, which is helping to ensure surplus food is delivered to those who need it.
Applicants can submit bids outlining how they intend to form relationships with farmers to access surplus food from the farm, and how they would seek to increase their capacity to redistribute this food to communities.
The funding can go towards purchasing new packaging and labelling equipment and vehicles to move goods from farms to a redistribution organisation, as well as new equipment, like fridges or freezers, to safely store food and ensure it lasts longer.
The fund is open to food redistribution charities and any groups with an interest are encouraged to apply. Applications can be submitted online until 11:55am on 13 March 2025.
Input your views into the Land Use Consultation
The Government recently launched the Land Use in England Consultation, to shape a new Land Use Framework for England.
The consultation explores a long-term view of land use change. Over the next 25 years, England’s landscapes will need to change to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, economic growth, housing delivery, food production, clean energy, and meeting statutory targets for nature recovery.
As part of a national conversation, there will be workshops across the country. These will bring farmers and landowners to the table, to put the insights of the people who manage our landscapes at the centre of the Government’s work to develop a Land Use Framework.
Defra will publish the Land Use Framework in 2025, and it will take account of the combined contributions from the online consultation, workshops and roundtables.
The Framework will help farm businesses to maximise the potential of multiple uses of land, including food production capacity and unlocking opportunities for businesses to drive private finance into the sector. It will support the need to incentivise multi-functional land use that includes food production.
The consultation runs from 31 January to 25 April 2025. Find out more information and submit your views for land use in England and how to deliver.
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