Petition Produce a Farmland Protection Policy to regulate the loss of farmland to solar
Due to the cumulative impact solar developments will have on availability of agricultural land, the Government should produce a regulatory framework in the form of a National Policy Statement on Farmland Protection to avoid losing a critical mass of productive agricultural land to solar.
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Agricultural land is a finite resource. We believe there is currently a policy conflict where Government seeks to protect and enhance our domestic production to maintain food security whilst also encouraging the growth of solar energy production. New ground-mounted solar developments must be subject to increased regulation to ensure that they do not undermine UK food security, which could result in increasing food costs.
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Other parliamentary business
Large solar farms debated by MPs
On Wednesday 9 March, MPs took part in a Westminster Hall debate on large solar farms. The debate was opened by Brendan Clarke-Smith MP. During the debate, MPs discussed the impact of such farms, including the use of agricultural land for solar farms.
Watch the debate: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/cfb520e2-47e0-4a8b-9d6a-278ec30016c5
Read the transcript: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-03-09/debates/22030973000001/LargeSolarFarms
What is a Westminster Hall debate?
Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.
Find out more about Westminster Hall debates: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/debates/westminster-hall-debates/
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