Farms on London’s doorstep not only provide a source of local and
sustainable food, they also give the capital a break – absorbing
carbon dioxide, heat and rainwater and providing a vital
connection to the natural world.
But pressure for development, the power of food buyers and
uncertainties surrounding Brexit are putting the squeeze on Green
Belt food producers.
Only with long-term security of tenure can farmers cultivate the
land in a way that results in healthier soil, more hedge- and
tree-planting and greater use of renewable energy.
The report, ‘Farming In London’s Green
Belt’ published today by the London
Assembly Environment Committee, highlights the concerns of many
farmers about their prospects.
Recommendations for the Mayor in ‘Farming In London’s Green
Belt’ include:
- Working with other local authorities to provide tools to help
farmers secure and retain land tenure.
- Supporting a “Grown In London” brand to raise awareness of
sustainable food cultivated locally.
- Lobbying central government for even greater protections for
agricultural quality land in the Green Belt.
- Lobbying for improvements to the Agriculture Bill, including
provisions for a strong, sustainable food economy.
AM, Chair of the
Environment Committee, said:
“Long-term security of tenure is crucial. Farmers must feel
confident they will be working the fields long enough to make any
investment in the health of the soil worthwhile. That currently
isn’t the case.
“It’s worrying that farmers may be forced into damaging
short-term thinking at a time when there is such an appetite for
their local, sustainable produce.
“The Mayor needs to be in the forefront of moves to enhance
the long-term prospects of Green Belt farmers. He needs build a
database of available farmland, to lobby government for even
greater protections for agricultural land and he needs to
champion the variety and quality of produce grown right here on
London’s doorstep.”
Notes to editors:
1. There are more than 200
farms in Greater London, covering about 11,000 hectares, a third
of Great London’s Green Belt area. The average size of the farm
is 53 hectares, smaller than the English average of 86 hectares.
- Read the report (attached)
-
Watch a
video of Assembly Members meeting Green Belt food
producers (embargoed).
