Climate change means adjusting what we grow in the UK, but the support systems and infrastructure needed are not there.

Farmers urgently need investment in infrastructure if they are to grow more of the foods required for a climate-resilient future, the NFFN says.

Scientists have shown that the UK needs to grow more beans, pulses, vegetables and fruit for consumption at home in order to meet its climate and emissions targets. Moving into horticulture can also benefit the long-term viability of farms.

However, NFFN farmers are finding their attempts to diversify into growing beans and pulses encounter serious problems, including a lack of suitable infrastructure for harvesting and processing them, as well as widespread consumer uncertainty about how to cook and incorporate these foods into everyday diets.

Policymakers need to urgently invest in the equipment and systems required to increase domestic production of these foods.

Our CEO Martin Lines said: “We often hear that our food and farming system is currently out of balance, with too much land allocated to growing crops that don’t feed people and an urgent need to increase homegrown production of foods we are able to grow here.

“However, what is not given nearly enough attention is the lack of suitable infrastructure to allow farmers to make this shift. At every turn, they face unnecessary hurdles, from a lack of processing facilities to low public familiarity with preparing and cooking these foods.

“Climate change is already here, and farmers are on the front line. Increasing UK horticulture production is one of the biggest and most necessary steps we can take to protect food security and farm businesses for the future. We can no longer afford such a mismatch between what we need and the reality on the ground.”