In an effort to reduce the effects of climate change and increase the long-term financial resilience of farms, Waitrose is going to help over 2,000 of its British farmers in switching to environmentally friendly methods of farming.

This is in response to consumer demand from Waitrose, as four out of five consumers are concerned about the effects of modern farming on the environment and wildlife, as well as the industry-wide need to switch to more resilient agricultural practices.

An approach to farming known as “regenerative agriculture” aims to make the environment and soil healthier and more productive. It aids in addressing problems like top-soil erosion, which is the loss of the most fertile soil layer and is accelerated by certain farming practices. This can make it more difficult to grow crops. Change is required now to secure food security in the future, among other reasons.

Executive Director James Bailey announced that Waitrose will source meat, milk, eggs, fruit, and vegetables from UK farms using regenerative practices by 2035. The move is part of the company’s commitment to transforming the British food system, as it aims to protect farmers from climate change, improve the environment, and ensure consumers continue to enjoy the best and tastiest British-grown goods for years to come. The announcement was made during a speech to farmers on the partnership with Waitrose.

Waitrose plans to support British farmers in transitioning to regenerative and low carbon farming by developing affordable finance plans, offering a market for regeneratively produced food, and establishing a Centre of Excellence at its Leckford farm. The company will work with farmers to develop regenerative practices across different supply chains, complete a ‘state of nature’ assessment of all UK farms by 2026, and undertake field trials and innovative practices at its Leckford farm to inform its approach to regenerative practices in its supply chains.

“We want Waitrose customers to know that when they shop with us, they are voting with their purses and wallets for a food system that restores and works in harmony with the natural world, and that supports a financially sustainable future for British farmers,” Waitrose Executive Director James Bailey said to the farmers at the Waitrose farm. He also said they are dedicated to contributing to the revolution that the nation’s food system needs, and that they have a responsibility to assist the farmers in making the transition to more environmentally friendly farming practices.

Key parts of the plan include collaborations with the University of Reading and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), an organisation promoting sustainable food and farming. LEAF has also developed written advice for farmers covering 4 crucial categories: water, biodiversity, soil and carbon.

As part of a three-year plan with LEAF, Waitrose is establishing 8 satellite farms across the UK that will represent a variety of farming industries, such as glasshouse, root vegetables, top and soft fruit, pigs, poultry, and dairy. The goal is to create best practice guidelines that have been put to the test and disseminated more broadly across supply chains, enabling farmers to more easily understand what truly functions, the potential effects of modifications, and their potential costs.

David Webster, Chief Executive, LEAF said, “The agri-food sector increasingly recognises the urgent need to adopt farm management practices that sustain the natural environment while building resilience.

“We believe it is only by grounding interventions at farm level, within the context of working farm businesses that we can effectively accelerate change at pace and scale. We are therefore delighted to be supporting our longstanding food retail partner Waitrose on Farming for Nature – a highly innovative and far-sighted project.”

The supermarket is launching a three-year Knowledge Transfer Programme with the University of Reading, supported by a grant from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). By bridging the knowledge gap between advanced agricultural research and real-world farming applications, this cooperation with this renowned agricultural university hopes to provide farmers with direct access to information they can use on their own farms.

“Reading has more than a century of expertise in agricultural innovation, and we know that we need to make long-term plans in order to secure our food and nature in the century ahead,” stated Professor Carol Wagstaff, Research Dean for Agriculture, Food, and Health at the University of Reading.

“Farmers, researchers, retailers and shoppers all have a part to play. Farming for Nature provides the leadership to make Britain’s food system a force for good in fighting climate change and biodiversity loss, while remaining profitable.”

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