Natural England

Farming and forestry are the main land uses in England, occupying around 80% of the land area. We want to see farming, food and forestry sectors that are far more sustainable.  

This means land management which:

• maximises public benefits;
• is not environmentally damaging and, where possible, contributes to the enhancement of the environment and economy of rural areas;
• is more fully integrated into the communities in which it operates.             

Global competition is putting pressure on many users of the land to produce higher financial returns, whilst climate change is adding further pressure. Farmers and producers therefore face significant challenges to stay in business whilst at the same time protecting the natural environment.  We will work with Government to ensure that public funding for agriculture delivers public value in the form of an improved natural environment and with farmers and land managers to recognise and reward land management practices that deliver environmental goods and services.

How more sustainable land management should be achieved is set out in the publication "A Strategy for Sustainable Land Management in England". The policies in this publication and its four principles for sustainable land management inform our work. We aim to influence domestic policy and delivery programmes relating to land management and to ensure the best deal for the English countryside from policy changes in Europe, particularly reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy.