Large-scale Energy Projects and Food Security

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.