Food for Thought: Shaping sustainable farming futures
Our new report examining the future of British food security is here. Featuring insights from our Agriculture and Estates team and leading industry voices, Food for Thought sets out the current state of UK farming and what needs to change to shape sustainable futures.
Addressing a stark reality
Recent reports show that UK food production could fall by over a third by 2050; a stark reminder of the pressures facing agriculture. With global tensions escalating, farmers facing severe margin pressures and the government prioritising environmental schemes over food production, our report sets out a disconnect between the country’s ability to feed itself and current industry strategy.
Take a sneak peak inside the report
Members of our team and expert commentators from across the industry look at Britain’s food security from a number of perspectives, with dedicated sections for the global context, planning frameworks, regulatory frameworks, the role of agri-tech and more.
Driven by data
UK food production could fall by more than a third by 2050. That’s just one of the statistics we address inside the report, also citing studies from Defra, Exeter University and Andersons to develop as complete a picture as possible of the trajectory of British farming.
Expert voices
Thank you to those who contributed their unique perspectives to bring this report together.
Cath Crowther is Regional Director (East) for the CLA. In our report, she analyses the key issues impacting farmers in the eastern England and what needs to change to move the dial for food production.
As Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, the organisation behind the iconic Royal Welsh Show, Aled knows a great deal about the challenges and opportunities shaping agriculture. He highlights the role of agriculture in communities and the importance of public perception in shaping sustainable farming futures.
Gareth is a Legal Director in our Planning, Highways and Environment team and often works closely with our Agriculture and Estates team on rural projects. Gareth contributes his expert view on the legislation, policy and guidance that makes up the UK planning system and the challenges these pose for farmers.
Aled is a Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team, specialising in regulatory matters. He advises farmers, food companies, cattle dealers, waste businesses and many more on handling the regulations impacting their work. Aled provides illustrative examples of how regulations hinder food producers, focusing on the egg industry in particular.
Lynne is a Legal Director in our Employment and Immigration team and often advises agricultural clients. In particular, she has recently been involved in a number of cases regarding migrant workers on farms. Lynne brings her expert perspective to the staffing issues impacting UK farms.
As Chief Executive of TIAH, Stephen Jacob is an expert on skills and recruitment in the agricultural sector. He offers insights into the importance of upskilling and attracting more people into the profession in order to improve British food security.
Steve Thomas is a Partner in our Commercial team, working across multiple sectors to advise clients on transactions. Well-versed in the agricultural sector, Steve provides expert commentary on the limitations and risks concerning supplier contracts in the industry.
Rory is Chair of the Milk Suppliers Association, the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society and the Association of Dairy Producer Organisations. With the dairy industry offering one of the clearest examples of the regulatory hurdles producers must overcome, Rory provides valuable insights including calls for contracts throughout the supply chain and whistleblowing legislation to ensure fair dealing.
Johnny Wake has been managing partner of Courteenhall Farms in South Northamptonshire for over 12 years. His entrepreneurial, innovative and sustainable approach to farming has earned him industry-wide recognition. He voices his experience of planning challenges when exploring diversification options on his estate.
We’re delighted to include perspectives from those on the ground, including Herefordshire-based farmer Jonty Hay. Jonty is a poultry and beef farmer and member of the NFU and Red Tractor Poultry Boards. He contributes his perspective on whether agri-tech offers a silver bullet solution for the food security problem.
Given her role as Technical Marketing Manager of the UK Agri-Tech Centre, we were pleased to have Dr. Sofia Hirscher contribute her expertise to this report. She discusses the opportunities unlocked by technology, the barriers to farming businesses embracing more of it and how the Centre is supporting the sector.
Expert voices
Thank you to those who contributed their unique perspectives to bring this report together.
Abi Reader was elected President of NFU Cymru in early 2026 after serving as Vice President. Deeply invested in educating the public and creating opportunities in agriculture, Abi contributes her perspective on how government can better protect food security in this report.
Cath Crowther is Regional Director (East) for the CLA. In our report, she analyses the key issues impacting farmers in the eastern England and what needs to change to move the dial for food production.
As Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, the organisation behind the iconic Royal Welsh Show, Aled knows a great deal about the challenges and opportunities shaping agriculture. He highlights the role of agriculture in communities and the importance of public perception in shaping sustainable farming futures.
Gareth is a Legal Director in our Planning, Highways and Environment team and often works closely with our Agriculture and Estates team on rural projects. Gareth contributes his expert view on the legislation, policy and guidance that makes up the UK planning system and the challenges these pose for farmers.
Aled is a Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team, specialising in regulatory matters. He advises farmers, food companies, cattle dealers, waste businesses and many more on handling the regulations impacting their work. Aled provides illustrative examples of how regulations hinder food producers, focusing on the egg industry in particular.
Lynne is a Legal Director in our Employment and Immigration team and often advises agricultural clients. In particular, she has recently been involved in a number of cases regarding migrant workers on farms. Lynne brings her expert perspective to the staffing issues impacting UK farms.
As Chief Executive of TIAH, Stephen Jacob is an expert on skills and recruitment in the agricultural sector. He offers insights into the importance of upskilling and attracting more people into the profession in order to improve British food security.
Steve Thomas is a Partner in our Commercial team, working across multiple sectors to advise clients on transactions. Well-versed in the agricultural sector, Steve provides expert commentary on the limitations and risks concerning supplier contracts in the industry.
Rory is Chair of the Milk Suppliers Association, the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society and the Association of Dairy Producer Organisations. With the dairy industry offering one of the clearest examples of the regulatory hurdles producers must overcome, Rory provides valuable insights including calls for contracts throughout the supply chain and whistleblowing legislation to ensure fair dealing.
Johnny Wake has been managing partner of Courteenhall Farms in South Northamptonshire for over 12 years. His entrepreneurial, innovative and sustainable approach to farming has earned him industry-wide recognition. He voices his experience of planning challenges when exploring diversification options on his estate.
We’re delighted to include perspectives from those on the ground, including Herefordshire-based farmer Jonty Hay. Jonty is a poultry and beef farmer and member of the NFU and Red Tractor Poultry Boards. He contributes his perspective on whether agri-tech offers a silver bullet solution for the food security problem.
Given her role as Technical Marketing Manager of the UK Agri-Tech Centre, we were pleased to have Dr. Sofia Hirscher contribute her expertise to this report. She discusses the opportunities unlocked by technology, the barriers to farming businesses embracing more of it and how the Centre is supporting the sector.
Key contact
Rory Hutchings
Partner, Head of Agriculture and Estates Team
As an agricultural lawyer, I have a huge interest in the work I carry out as well as farming in general. My clients have included a variety of diverse farming businesses including livestock, arable and dairy farms, agricultural cooperatives, certification organisations, agricultural shows and tourist enterprises. I take the time to understand my clients on a personal level, and get to know their needs as agricultural businesses.
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