The FAO's comprehensive report The State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture highlights the critical role that diverse ecosystems play in sustaining agricultural productivity and resilience. Alongside this, the UK Government's report Balancing Nature and Agriculture emphasises the urgent need to reconcile these two priorities to ensure food security, as well as recognising that agriculture is dependent on biodiversity and that agricultural intensification is a major driver of biodiversity decline.

However, current arguments from some quarters seek to frame this issue as a polarised choice between food production and nature. This perspective suggests that efforts to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems and make space for nature in our landscapes could undermine agricultural productivity.

The well documented loss of bees and other insect pollinators, which are vital for the pollination of most of our food crops, is just one factor. The loss of abundance of once common farmland birds that eat crop pests, the debilitating loss of soil and changes to soil biodiversity can all have a huge impact on food production. The decline of natural ecosystems and processes leads to a vicious circle of ever-increasing application of often chemical-based fertiliser and pesticides, which cause yet more damage to the natural environment. Inputs of fertilisers and pesticides will reach more than their intended target, and lead to the pollution of waterways with nitrates, phosphates, and chemicals toxic to aquatic life and ultimately our seas, damaging marine habitats and the species that depend on them, many of which are also important human food sources.

Taking some land out of intensive production and enabling natural regeneration of some areas to act as wildlife hubs in the landscape will ultimately contribute to food security and nature recovery. Approaches such as rewilding need to sit alongside techniques like regenerative agriculture and use of technology to produce food without damaging levels of chemical inputs.

Nutrient Neutrality 

Dorset Wildlife Trust along with our neighbours at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have been at the forefront of delivering nutrient neutrality initiatives such as the recent acquisition of land at Lyscombe. These schemes are crucial in helping to deliver sustainable farming and aiding nature recovery by addressing nutrient pollution, particularly in this case nitrate contamination of the Poole Harbour catchment. Excessive nitrate levels from agricultural runoff into Poole Harbour have led to severe water quality issues, harming aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Alongside initiatives led by the conservation sector, the farmer-led Poole Harbour Nutrient Management Scheme (PHNMS) in Dorset is a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing nitrate pollution in Poole Harbour. Implementing nutrient neutrality strategies that offset the impacts of housing development together with changes in farming practices which reduce fertiliser use, enhance soil management and restoring wetlands to filter runoff, can lead to significantly lower nitrate pollution. These measures not only protect water bodies but also improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and support the long-term viability of sustainable farming practices, ultimately delivering a balanced relationship between agriculture and nature.

The current food system inadequately supports farmers, nature, or the climate, leading to justified frustration among farmers and the conservation sector. UK Government policy must better recognise farming's dual role in food production and environmental stewardship. Without healthy ecosystems and fair-trade practices food security is at risk. Unprofitable farming is not sustainable either and many farms are struggling and looking for change. Many are looking to new systems that reduce reliance on expensive inputs. New schemes like nutrient neutrality and Landscape Recovery must be swiftly and effectively implemented to support sustainable food production and nature recovery. Maintaining healthy ecosystems is vital for food production, as they enhance soil health, pollination, and climate resilience. There is also extensive public support for wildlife-friendly farming, rewilding and better access to nature.

The Wildlife Trusts advocate for a re-evaluation of food production paradigms, emphasising the need for holistic approaches that prioritise both ecological integrity and agricultural viability. By embracing innovative strategies that link wildlife conservation with food production, the UK can pave the way towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Big Food Redesign 

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Big Food Redesign initiative recognises the urgent need to balance food production with the need for nature recovery. This project advocates for a circular economy approach, emphasising the reconfiguration of food systems to be regenerative by design. By prioritising sustainable agricultural practices, reducing waste, and optimising resource use, the Big Food Redesign aims to minimise the environmental footprint of food production. It proposes innovations such as crop diversification, agroecology, and the integration of perennial crops to enhance biodiversity and soil health, thereby reducing the pressure on natural habitats. This approach not only addresses the ecological degradation caused by conventional farming methods but also aims to create a resilient food system that can sustainably meet human needs while preserving and even enhancing natural ecosystems. By aligning food production with the principles of a circular economy, it is possible to achieve a balance where both human and environmental health are prioritised. This will also need to embrace emergent agri-technologies that will deliver paradigm shifts away from the physical and chemical substitution of biological processes, a shift from annual to perennial crops and a reduction in intensive animal production.

In conclusion, we must avoid aligning with polarised arguments. Farmers and conservationists should work together to leverage the strong public desire to create a wilder Britain alongside sustainable food production to push for better policies, fair economic practices, reduced harmful inputs, greater climate resilience and more space for nature.

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