Farming in Wales is best placed to help tackle the climate and nature crisis but a level playing field is needed. That was the key message from Farmers’ Union of Wales Deputy President Ian Rickman, as he addressed a COP Cymru 21 webinar on Thursday 25 November.
The webinar, titled ‘Fields of ambition - farming at the centre of sustainable land use for the future’ also heard from Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales), National Farmers Union Cymru and the National Sheep Association.
The panellists discussed integrating trees into farming systems, working towards Net Zero by improving farming’s productive efficiency, the role and use of carbon calculators, grazing for biodiversity, sustainable food security, the opportunities and risks of the carbon market, and how Welsh agriculture is uniquely placed to be a world leader in sustainable food production.
Speaking at the event, Ian Rickman told the audience: “Our ambition at the FUW for genuinely sustainable land use to tackle the climate and nature crises is twofold. Firstly we need a just and fair transition for all farms and farm types. Everyone needs to play their part, and should be given the opportunity to do so. And secondly- we need to focus on land sharing as opposed to land sparing, using land for a multitude of benefits instead of ‘releasing’ it from agriculture.”