Executive Summary

Freedom Alliance will support a thriving, resilient, and locally empowered farming and agriculture sector—one that prioritises food security, fair treatment for producers, and environmentally responsible practices grounded in evidence.

We will strengthen the United Kingdom’s ability to produce food domestically, reduce unnecessary reliance on imports, and support small and medium-sized farms facing rising costs and market pressures. Our approach recognises the importance of local knowledge, practical land management, and sustainable innovation.

Agricultural policy will ensure that food remains affordable and accessible, that producers are able to operate viably, and that environmental stewardship is delivered through partnership rather than imposition.

Key Principles

• Food security will be strengthened through increased domestic production and resilient supply chains.

• Farming policy will support small and medium-sized producers, ensuring fair market access and sustainable operating conditions.

• Regulation will be proportionate, reducing unnecessary administrative burden while maintaining safety and standards.

• Environmental stewardship will be delivered through practical, evidence-based approaches that support both food production and land management.

• Consumers will be supported through clear food labelling and transparent standards.

• The system will promote resilience through contingency planning, research, and long-term investment in skills and infrastructure.

• Policy will operate in line with equality legislation, ensuring accessibility and fair participation across the sector.

Introduction

Agriculture and food production are essential to the United Kingdom’s economic stability, public health, and national resilience. Effective policy must balance food security, environmental responsibility, and the long-term viability of rural communities.

The Freedom Alliance recognises the importance of domestic food production and the role of farmers, fishers, and producers in maintaining both the countryside and national supply chains. Policy will be structured, consistent, and aligned with long-term planning, while allowing producers the flexibility to operate without unnecessary interference.

This approach ensures that agricultural policy remains both effective and respectful of individual enterprise within a clear and stable framework.

Food Security and Domestic Production

The United Kingdom must maintain the ability to produce a substantial proportion of its own food.

We will:

• Support increased domestic production across agriculture and fisheries.

• Reduce unnecessary reliance on imports where this creates vulnerability.

• Promote local and regional food supply chains.

• Encourage public procurement of British-produced food in schools, hospitals, and public services.

Farming and the Rural Economy

A sustainable agricultural sector depends on viable farms and thriving rural communities.

We will:

• Support small and medium-sized farms through fair market access and pricing conditions.

• Encourage co-operatives and local producer networks.

• Reduce barriers to entry for new farmers, including training and access to land.

• Support innovation, diversification, and new agricultural enterprises.

• Support rural infrastructure, including transport and local services.

• Ensure fair market conditions and address practices that concentrate land ownership or disadvantage independent producers.

Regulation and Market Conditions

Regulation must be proportionate, consistent, and practical.

We will:

• Review and simplify regulatory frameworks to reduce unnecessary administrative burden.

• Ensure that standards are maintained without imposing uniform rules that do not reflect local conditions.

• Ensure imported food meets UK production and safety standards.

• Prevent market distortions that disadvantage smaller producers or undermine fair competition.

Environmental Stewardship and Land Use

Farmers and land managers play a central role in maintaining the natural environment.

We will:

• Support sustainable land management practices that protect soil, water, and biodiversity.

• Provide incentives for regenerative and conservation-focused farming methods.

• Ensure environmental policy is aligned with food production, rural viability, and long-term land use planning.

• Protect productive agricultural land from development that reduces domestic food production capacity.

• Ensure land use decisions balance environmental objectives with the need to maintain a stable and secure food supply.

Animal Welfare

Animal welfare must be upheld through clear and consistent standards.

We will:

• Support humane and responsible farming practices.

• Maintain high welfare standards across all farming systems.

• Ensure transparency in production methods through clear labelling.

• Phase out practices that do not meet acceptable welfare standards, with appropriate transition support where required.

• Ensure that welfare regulations remain proportionate and compatible with the long-term viability of farming businesses.

Fishing and Marine Resources

The United Kingdom’s fishing industry is a key part of national food security and coastal economies.

We will:

• Maintain control over UK fishing waters.

• Ensure quota systems support smaller vessels and local fisheries.

• Invest in port infrastructure and fleet sustainability.

• Protect marine ecosystems through responsible and evidence-based management.

Consumer Transparency and Food Standards

Consumers should be able to make informed choices about the food they purchase.

We will:

• Introduce clear and transparent labelling of food origin, production methods, and ingredients.

• Maintain high food safety standards across domestic and imported products.

• Ensure that new food products and alternatives are clearly labelled to support informed consumer choice.

• Support access to information that enables informed consumer decisions.

System Resilience and Future Planning

A resilient food system must be prepared for disruption and long-term change.

We will:

• Develop contingency planning for supply chain disruptions, including fuel, climate, and global market shocks.

• Support research into crop resilience, disease resistance, and sustainable production methods.

• Invest in skills, training, and the next generation of farmers and producers.

• Strengthen coordination between national and local systems for food distribution in emergencies.