Plant-based agriculture: Vegan Society outlines alternatives to commercial grazing in UK

19 Aug 2020 --- A new report by the Vegan Society outlines alternatives to commercial grazing for farmers and landowners who wish to explore more sustainable land management practices. The practical overview was created in to help the UK transition to more plant-based agriculture. The report is part of the Society’s Grow Green campaign to address the climate and biodiversity crises through sustainable land management. 

“This report shows that British farmers can lead the way and be the architects of a more sustainable land management policy over the next decade. We hope it will prompt more imaginative and productive conversations about the future of the UK landscape and our relationship with it,” says Tim Thorpe, Campaigns and Policy Officer for The Vegan Society. 

While a lot of the UK’s land is being used to raise farmed animals, Thorpe tells FoodIngredientsFirst that this land has “mostly low productivity, is not viable without significant government support and fails to deliver the public benefits that we should be aiming for in relation to climate and biodiversity goals.” 

The report recommends planting ratios of 60 percent grains, 30 percent starchy vegetables and 10 percent perishable fruits and vegetables on arable land.The report comes as plant-based meat alternatives are seeing record success, with more consumers turning toward vegetarian and vegan options and investments being made in the category. 

Turning marginal into fertile 
The 25-page report explores techniques to sequester carbon, improve soil quality and use biomass for renewable energy. Best practices in organic farming for the health of people and the environment are also outlined, including which crops should be planted together and how to rotate crops. 

“What prompted the guide was a need to have all the crucial information in one place, in a user-friendly form, so farmers and land managers can make decisions on the best available information,” says Jenny Hall, Author of the report. 

The report also outlines agricultural and forestry structures and schemes in the UK, including credit schemes, the viability of living of the practice without subsidies and if there is potential for eco-tourism. 

“Land management is a hugely complex issue, and to make progress, it is crucial that we engage openly and honestly with the range of different views about the future of agriculture in the UK, especially with farmers and those who are directly responsible for managing our land,” says Thorpe.

Thorpe further points out that some agricultural barriers are more economic and political rather than geographic, such as the feasibility of growing most of the UK’s fruit and vegetables domestically. “Fruit and vegetable production is comparatively labor-intensive and government subsidies for this sector are poor compared to other types of farming. But new forms of distribution, such as selling direct to consumers through box schemes, are becoming more popular and more government support could enable much higher domestic production of fruit and vegetables,” he says. 

Critical timingNew forms of distribution, such as farmers selling direct to consumers through box schemes, are becoming more popular in the UK. Credit: The Vegan Society
The report comes as the new Environmental Land Management Scheme is in its test phase. Pilots of the program are set to begin in 2021. 

“The UK is changing the way subsidies are paid to farmers. Under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, most payments are given simply for owning productive farmland. The UK is replacing this system with one that pays for environmental benefits – public money for public goods,” says Thorpe. 

Alongside other new funding streams, the Vegan Society aims to enable the introduction of a greater variety of climate and nature-friendly land management practices. The Society highlights that rural businesses must be supported to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Depending on how this scheme is structured, it could mean that other forms of land management which support nature recovery, carbon sequestration and flood reduction become more viable. The UK also has a long history of woodland management and good geographical and biological conditions to support woodland and peatland habitats,” he adds. 

In supporting the agricultural sector with education and engagement, the report is the latest move in the Vegan Society’s Go Green campaign. Next month, the Society will be launching a new campaign promoting kindness to all animals. 

By Missy Green