Growers striving to meet mounting demand for food and fuel in the UK means land has never been more important, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said this week.
The claim comes as the government launches its new Land Use Futures study.
Think tank Foresight will use undertake the study to look into current land use and rising pressures on land in the future.
Professor John Beddington will head up the project, which will look at both rural and urban areas, with a focus on the effect climate change will have on patterns of agriculture and biodiversity.
NFU vice president Paul Temple said: “The impact of the global economy, growing world populations and changing weather patterns are already being felt, reflected in the growing demand for land across the world.
“Here in the UK, land has never been as important as it will be over the years ahead, as farmers and growers rise to the challenge of meeting Britain’s needs for food and renewable energy. This study could potentially be hugely important in helping to ensure every acre is used wisely and well.
“The NFU will closely involve itself in this study and we look forward to contributing our views.”
The two-year study, by the department for communities and local dovernment and Defra, is expected to release its findings in 2009.
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