The Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture (GLFFAH) has cautioned against viewing private environmental markets as a swift substitute for public support when undertaking long-term environmental projects. These markets enable farmers and landowners to generate income by delivering environmental benefits such as improved wildlife habitats, carbon storage, and reduced nutrient runoff, with organisations potentially paying for these outcomes to offset their own emissions.
While recognising the opportunities these markets present, farming and food leaders in the county note that the sector is still developing and lacks the consistency needed to instil confidence for agri-businesses to invest. Matt Riddington, Chair of the GLFFAH, stated that profitability remains crucial for the sector, with many growers operating on tight margins. He acknowledged that private environmental markets offer genuine opportunities for diversification in environmentally friendly ways but stressed that it is still early days and the private sector cannot yet fully replace public support.
Riddington emphasised the need for clear, practical, and advice-led regulation and incentives from the Government if agri-businesses are to meet increasingly stringent environmental rules. He highlighted the importance of national food security, sustainability, and long-term resilience, asserting that profitable farms are a key component. "We can’t expect farmers to keep taking on additional requirements at a loss. We need that confidence that these schemes will make a difference environmentally and return their investments," he added.
Members also argued that increased environmental efforts by farmers are only sustainable if they compete on a level playing field. They pointed out that British farms adhere to some of the highest animal welfare, food safety, and environmental protection standards globally. However, imported food, often produced to lower standards and sold more cheaply, puts British farmers at a disadvantage. The GLFFAH agreed that imported products should meet equivalent standards to support, not penalise, homegrown produce.
Riddington further commented that fair import rules are only part of the solution. UK farmers, he suggested, also require government support to access viable export markets and find overseas buyers willing to pay for their high-quality produce, turning high standards into a commercial advantage. These discussions are part of the GLFFAH's ongoing efforts to gather evidence from Lincolnshire's farmers and growers on challenges affecting growth, investment, and sustainability, which will be shared with local and national decision-makers to shape future agricultural policies.
