To coincide with Nature Day at COP26, today the Government announces international commitments to improve nature and limit climate change. However, The Wildlife Trusts are extremely concerned that – at a critical moment for farming policy at home – the Government will fail to deliver sustainable agriculture that addresses the nature and climate crises. We believe agricultural payments should reward farmers for delivering public goods such as unpolluted rivers, healthy soils and improved natural habitats.

Joan Edwards, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts says:

“Today the UK is leading 45 governments in new pledges to protect nature, limit climate change to 1.5 degrees, and urging farmers around the world to make agriculture more sustainable for the future. While this sounds good on paper, it’s extremely frustrating that our own Government is failing to make progress at home. New agricultural policy is being formulated right here, right now – but all the indications are that it’s business as usual and our new farm payment scheme will not help nature or the climate.

“This is deeply disappointing and shows a complete disregard for the crisis we face. The intensification of agriculture over the last 60 years has caused the UK to become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. That’s why it’s vital the new system supports farmers to create and restore wild habitats, which will help wildlife and store carbon. We cannot afford to pay farmers for doing nothing for nature and climate. It’s unfair on taxpayers and it fails our duty to future generations.

“Additional funding is vital to monitor whether farmers provide a boost to nature on the ground. Currently there is minimal chance of being inspected, and this must change if we’re to hold recipients of public money to account. If the UK can’t encourage farmers at home to put wildlife back into the countryside, what hope is there of it happening across the rest of the world?”