The UK Government has launched a new forum that will bring together stakeholders from across the UK to identify and provide solutions for issues facing the agricultural sector.
The UK Agriculture Partnership (UKAP) will explore important topics such as reducing pollution in the sector, and the role of technology in supporting food production.
The first meeting took place this week (Thursday 27th January) and focused on water quality and how to improve it.
Universities, agricultural colleges, research institutes and agri-tech centres from across the UK are playing a central role in pioneering world-leading new approaches. The UKAP will provide a platform for academics, experts, industry players and farming stakeholders to share scientific knowledge and best practice to learn from each other to identify innovative solutions to common problems.
The partnership will be formed by a group of leading stakeholders in the UK agriculture sector, as well as ministers from the UK Government and the devolved administrations.
John Lamont MP said:
“This is an important new venture that will help prepare British agriculture for the future.
“Sustainable farming will be vital in helping the country to reach net zero, whilst growing and rearing the food for our tables.
“The new partnership will bring together farmers, farming unions, and environmental groups so that we can tackle the problems we face as one.
“Farmers are often blamed for having poor environmental credentials. However, I find that to be untrue. Farmers completely understand that if their own businesses are to survive for decades to come, then the care with which they tend the land must match this.
“I hope the UKAP can help keep British farming as an example of sustainable food production for the world.”
