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Large-scale Energy Projects and Food Security
22 October 2024
Lead MP
Llinos Medi
Ynys Môn
PC
Responding Minister
Michael Shanks
Tags
EconomyClimate
Word Count: 8950
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Llinos Medi raised concerns about large-scale energy projects and food security in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The speaker urges the UK Government to commit to a new nuclear power station at Wylfa and to safeguard good quality agricultural land when considering large-scale energy projects. She also asks for discussions with the Future Generations Commissioner regarding the Maen Hir project's implications for future generations' well-being and suggests alternatives like rooftop solar and tidal energy development.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The speaker is concerned about the impact of large-scale solar farms on Ynys Môn's agricultural land, which could lead to a loss of £33 million in GVA and threaten the livelihoods of farmers. The proposed Maen Hir energy project covers 3,700 acres and would have a generating capacity of 360 MW, potentially affecting up to 31 farms on the island. Campaigners argue that this development could devastate communities and the economy due to the loss of agricultural land and jobs, while only creating 12 full-time positions during its operational life.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Asked the hon. Member to encourage the Government to clarify in their national planning policy framework that solar farm applications should be combined with food growing as part of the application. The MP welcomed the minister's collegiate engagement and asked if all new homes under the future homes standard would be required to include solar panels as a standard feature.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
The MP congratulated Llinos Medi on the debate and expressed his support for Wylfa as a site for new nuclear power stations. He criticised the current government's approach to large-scale solar farms, arguing it disregards communities' views and undermines food security by converting agricultural land into industrial use. The MP highlighted that the UK produces only 60% of its own supply currently, with each development reducing potential productive farmland.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Land use is crucial for both energy production and food security. In Caerfyrddin, initiatives like the Bremenda Isaf project are producing vegetables locally with significant health benefits and minimal carbon footprint. The model can be replicated to maximise land usage for horticulture and food production while still supporting energy projects.
Anna Gelderd
Lab
South East Cornwall
Called for a balanced approach respecting farming and fishing communities in South East Cornwall, highlighting the region's potential for leading the renewable energy revolution while ensuring environmental protection and addressing economic challenges.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Points out a proposed 1,900-acre solar farm in Huntingdon covering grade 2 and grade 3a farmland. Argues that before pursuing large-scale solar farms on good quality farmland, the opportunity to place solar panels on rooftops should be fully explored.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Asked a brief question. Northern Ireland produces enough food to feed over 10 million people globally, and protecting this alongside energy security is crucial. Large-scale solar farms should not be allowed to jeopardise our prime agricultural land, which would undermine food self-sufficiency and increase dependency on imports.
Catherine Fookes
Lab
Monmouthshire
Ms. Catherine Fookes congratulated the hon. Member for Ynys Môn on securing the debate and acknowledged the importance of energy security and food security in Welsh constituencies. She criticised the previous Conservative Government's approach to clean energy investment, which led to high energy bills and insecurity. Ms. Fookes highlighted Labour's actions under the new government, including plans to develop large-scale clean energy projects across Wales, such as floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and the Morlais scheme.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Mr. Greg Smith expressed concerns about large-scale solar installations taking away food-producing land in his constituency. He cited a specific proposal for Rosefield that started with 2,100 acres and highlighted the National Farmers Union's statistics showing an annual loss of 100,000 acres of agricultural land. Smith argued that ground-mounted solar projects are inefficient compared to other renewable technologies such as small modular reactors or wind turbines. A brief intervention affirming his constituency's interests.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends the debate on large-scale energy projects and food security, highlighting the importance of using agricultural land for farming rather than solar farms. Supports the previous government's intent to ensure that the best agricultural land is used for farming purposes.
Luke Charters
Lab
York Outer
Highlighted how renewable projects offer farmers crucial opportunities for income diversification and argued against the notion that food security and renewable energy are mutually exclusive. He cited examples from his constituency where solar farms coexist with traditional farming, noting minimal land usage by solar panels and their potential benefits to soil health.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Visited a solar farm on reclaimed land that provides economic benefits and minimal landscape impact. Suggested using land with low landscape value for renewable energy projects while protecting high-value landscapes. Highlighted the potential for farmers to diversify by renting out disused barns and supporting entrepreneurial efforts.
Rupert Lowe
Ind
Great Yarmouth
Farmers in the UK are facing a catastrophic decline due to high input costs, low world prices, and poor weather conditions. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is causing more problems than it solves with its policies. Farmers need certainty, logical long-term guidelines, and support from the government to revive the agricultural industry.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Farmers are leading the UK's renewable energy charge, but food security is paramount. Recent research shows that 61% of farmers feel they will have to give up their farms in the next 18 months due to financial pressures, exacerbated by Brexit and a £358 million DEFRA underspend. The new Government considering stripping £130 million from the agriculture budget would be a serious misstep.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
She discussed the importance of balancing energy security with food security, emphasizing that solar farms do not significantly impact UK food production compared to climate change. She mentioned the need for a tenant farming commissioner and the issue of landlord-tenant conflicts over land use. Wera Hobhouse highlighted the role of renewable energy in tackling climate change and reducing dependency on oil and gas. She also noted the current barrier of grid connection for solar projects and proposed leasing less productive land to energy companies for solar farms.
Government Response
Michael Shanks
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Mark. I thank the hon. Member for Ynys Môn for securing this important debate and acknowledging her constituency as an energy powerhouse with technologies such as solar, onshore wind, and tidal stream projects. The Government's goal since day one has been to deliver clean power by 2030 to protect people from price spikes due to volatile global fuel markets, tackle climate change which is impacting farms across the country, and ensure energy security for the nation through a diverse range of projects and technologies without favouring any single technology. The minister highlighted the importance of balance between environmental protection, local community support, and delivering cheaper, more secure energy while tackling climate change objectives. He mentioned that new energy infrastructure is crucial but must be planned strategically to avoid cumulative impacts on communities. Acknowledging the robustness of the planning system in the UK, he stated that rigorous processes will continue to ensure community engagement and consultation regardless of project size. The minister also emphasized the need for mandatory community benefits from clean energy projects and the Government's commitment to introducing a new deal for farmers to boost rural economic growth and strengthen Britain's food security. He reassured that solar farms would occupy less than 1% of agricultural land under ambitious plans, reflecting on Manor Farm solar farm as an example of successful integration with agriculture and rewilding efforts. The minister concluded by stressing the importance of finding balance between energy production and food security to provide economic growth and responsible use of land right across the country.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.