Statement from Claire Ogley, Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research at The Vegan Society:

The Vegan Society welcomes a more strategic, joined-up, approach to land use in England.

It's a positive development that the government recognises the inefficiency of using land to produce animal feed, while acknowledging that land use changes in England must "not disproportionately increase our need for 'imported hectares' from abroad."

85% of UK agricultural land currently supports animal farming, with 40% of that land used just to grow feed for animals that we then eat or use. The framework doesn't say so explicitly but it shows the beginning of a recognition that that is inefficient and unsustainable.

We also spend billions importing feed and fertiliser, weakening our food security and exposing us to shocks such as the price increases driven by the wars in Ukraine and Iran.

A transition to plant-rich diets is the only way to square all of our land use goals without trade-offs. Eating more plants and fewer animals frees up land, shortens supply chains and will give the UK greater food security.

The Vegan Society is clear, where the Land Use Framework is not: using less land to produce the same amount of meat is not the answer to the UK's land use or food policy concerns. Farming more chickens or pigs in intensified areas will only lead to more animal welfare and environmental problems, which is why West Norfolk Council turned down plans in 2025 for Cranswick PLC to build 'mega farms' for 14,000 pigs and almost three-quarters of a million 'broiler' chickens.

In searching for greater efficiencies in land use, few changes offer a greater benefit than supporting plant-based agriculture and producing less meat and dairy.

The Land Use Framework must integrate with other areas of government policy, such as the forthcoming Food Strategy, in order to provide a clear focus for a move to a plant-rich diet.