With finite land and multiple demands upon it, from food production and nature restoration to housing and energy infrastructure, taking a strategic approach to land use decision-making is essential.

After more than a year in development, and considering exactly how such an approach could work in practice, England’s new Land Use Framework (LUF) is now out. But what does it actually say?

Join the Nature Friendly Farming Network, and a representative from the LUF team in Defra, to hear what the new Land Use Framework will mean for farming and farmers. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

Speakers:

Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network:

Martin farms arable crops in South Cambridgeshire and leads the Nature Friendly Farming Network. On farm, he focuses on soil health, integrated pest management, mixed rotations and schemes that pay for public goods. In his CEO role, he works with government, retailers and the finance sector to back farmers with simple rules and fair funding. Martin convenes farmer networks, shares what works in practice, and acts as a constructive voice across the sector – aiming for resilient businesses, better food and more nature.

Jenna Hegarty, Head of UK Policy, Nature Friendly Farming Network:

Jenna is an experienced policy advocate with over 15 years of experience in the third sector. Her Master's thesis, written in the early 2000s and spotlighting the ability of agri-environment schemes to tackle biodiversity loss, resulted in a lifelong passion for nature-friendly and climate-smart farming and a professional drive to ensure that farmers are robustly supported on their nature-friendly farming journeys. Before joining the NFFN, Jenna worked for many years at the RSPB, starting out as an Agriculture Policy Officer and progressing to Deputy Director for Advocacy. Prior to the RSPB, Jenna worked as an HLS advisor for Natural England, covering the New Forest.

Defra representative from the Land Use Framework team.