The energy security secretary has said that any solar energy projects should not “compromise” the UK’s food security by infringing on valuable land.
MP Claire Coutinho told Parliament today (15 May) that the best agricultural land should be prioritised for food production, as the UK needs to “protect our food security.”
Coutinho said: “As the prime minister set out this week, rising threats around the world mean we must have a renewed emphasis on our security. That means protecting our food security whilst also delivering the cheap energy we need.”
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Referring to the “best and most versatile” land, the energy secretary went on to argue that large solar projects should avoid this higher quality land where possible.
“We are taking further steps today to make sure we can get that balance right. I want to see more solar on rooftops and where that’s not possible, for agricultural land to be protected; and for the cumulative impact on local villages to be considered where they are facing a high number of solar farm applications,” said Coutinho.
“We will make sure we reach our solar targets in a sensible way that delivers clean, cheaper energy but does not compromise our food security.”
Coutinho’s comments come as prime minister Rishi Sunak set out to strengthen the UK’s food resilience, announced at this year’s annual farm to fork summit.
Among other measures, Sunak launched a food security index for farmers, cautioning that the UK should not be too reliant on foreign imports.
