Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area

Farmers union slams UK environment goals as ‘irrational, unachievable’

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Jan 2023 13:33
2 Min Read

UK's NFU highlights concerns about water contamination, tree planting, and rewilding goals.

  • x
  • Farms have been lost due to to intensive farming and deforestation. (Getty Images)
    Farms have been lost due to to intensive farming and deforestation. (Getty Images)

UK's National Farmers' Union (NFU) questioned the government's proposed targets for water pollution and tree planting, not to mention rewilding, describing them as "irrational" and "unachievable", as per documents released by the environment department.

The government was compelled to set legally enforceable targets for nature recovery and environmental improvements under the 2021 Environment Act.

It began consultation on such aims in March 2022, advocating, for example, an increase in the tree canopy and forest cover in England from 14.5% to 17.5% by 2050. Initially, targets for reducing water pollution were set for 2037.

There was some dissatisfaction after the consultation ended and the targets were released. The aim for tree canopy had been decreased to 16.5%, while the target for water pollution had been pushed out to 2038.

According to the newly released consultation documents, the NFU's answer was harshly critical of the initial recommendations.

Simultaneously, the lobby organization, which represents influential voices in the agriculture sector, said ideas to limit nutrient contamination from animal waste and fertilizer were "irrational".

Addressing the government, the lobby added, “Broadly, we consider the level of ambition across the nutrient targets to be unachievable, inconsistent, and irrational. The NFU and its members are committed to building on past successes and further reducing nutrient losses to the environment from agriculture. However, this effort must be balanced with the need to produce food, fiber, and energy on farms, thereby protecting the rural economy and maintaining food security.”

The Union also stated that it did not agree with aims for reversing species extinction and specifically opposed restoring extinct species.

It warned against "adopting a strategy that risks destroying the social fabric of rural communities" if the concept of rewilding was to be implemented.

It also stated that the 17.5% coverage aim for tree planting was overly aggressive.

Read next: Another promise broken: ‘Brexit bonus’ for farmers scrapped

  • NFU
  • Trees
  • Water Shortage
  • UK
  • farmers in the UK

Most Read

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh: Egypt

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS