NEW REPORT: EXPAND ANIMAL FEED CHOICES TO CUT COSTS FOR FARMERS, BURNHAM TOLD

• Today, the Conservative Environment Network has published a new report aimed at streamlining farming regulations to support the industry, boost nature restoration efforts, and cut costs for farmers

• In particular, the report calls on the Government to expand the choice of feed farmers can give their animals, including food waste, to cut costs and free up land for both farming and restoring nature

• The report comes as a new PM will look to reset Labour’s relationship with rural communities, ensure Britain’s long-term food security, and helping farmers continue to be stewards of our green and pleasant land

Today, the Conservative Environment Network, has released Cut red tape, liberate farmers, restore nature. The report sets out bold new policies aimed at streamlining red tape to empower farmers, cut costs, and create more opportunities to restore nature. 

In particular, the report calls on the Government to trust and empower farmers by expanding the pool of animal feed available. The hope is this bold new policy will cut costs, free up land for food and nature, and reduce food waste in the UK.

Animal feed continues to be one of the biggest costs faced by farmers, with a total of £4.4 billion being spent by farmers in 2025 alone. These high costs are not only painful for farmers, but also increase food prices for consumers. 

Land used for providing feed for animals also takes up 40% of all British arable land. This reduces the amount of space that could be used to bolster Britain’s food security or support our nature restoration efforts. 

However, there remains a cheaper, more resourceful solution. Currently, the UK wastes 10.7 million tonnes of food per annum. This is food that could be used for animals, but instead of trusting farmers to know what to feed their animals, burdensome red-tape is stopping farmers from choosing what they think is best. This change would also reduce the amount of feed our nation needs to produce, cut food costs for animals, and thereby make food cheaper in shops.  

Elliott Malik, author and CEN’s Nature Programme Officer, said: 

“England’s farmers are struggling with high costs, the impacts of extreme weather events, and constantly changing political winds. We must trust farmers and to make it easier for them to get on with their work, secure their incomes, and protect our green and pleasant land.

“Loosening animal feed regulations is key to this. Via targeted reforms, we can reduce the £4.4 billion annual animal cost of feed and utilise some of the 10.7 million tonnes of food wasted each year. If we do this properly, we can free up land for nature restoration whilst maintaining our food security.

“The Government needs to cut red tape on animal feed to liberate farmers and restore nature. This will help to secure the future of our rural communities, boost our long-term food security, and restore nature, all at the same time.”