1 Food security and its challenges

In 2024, the UK government described the UK’s food security situation as ‘broadly stable’, 62% self-sufficient in food, yet facing ‘longer-term risks’ from climate changes. There is a growing debate about how the UK should produce its food and what that means for the state of the countryside, the Net-Zero target, other environmental targets, landscape character and the wellbeing of both people and livestock.

The concept of ‘Less but Better’ meat and dairy is increasingly discussed. Traditional slow growing livestock that are 100% pasture-fed do not require imported feed with its associated environmental costs. Relying on grassland as the sole feed source reduces the need to produce grains and silage on tilled land, which may be in direct competition with human food production.

Alongside the environmental benefits, research indicates meat from animals fed solely on a grass diet tends to have a higher level of essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acid (Daley et al., 2010). Meat from fully grass-fed animals also contains considerably more antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, such as beta-carotene and vitamin E, than meat from grain-fed animals (Kraft et al., 2008).

Beef is also one of the best dietary sources of CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid), which exhibits antioxidant activity and may defend against heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Again 100% grass-fed beef contains more than from animals fed on grain (Leheeska et al., 2008).

Currently, the UK government supports farmers to produce food in an environmentally sensitive way through payments for providing public services such as water storage, nutrient reduction, pollinator support, etc. However, this has been insufficient to drive a larger scale change in farm practices. There needs to be a viable market for the food produced. Current food labelling rules on grass-fed meats mean that a product can be labelled as such if only 51% of the livestock feed is grass. This means higher percentage grass-fed products are not distinguished. Mandatory labelling of percentage grass-fed meat and introduction of a recognised label for species-rich pasture-fed meat could create the market conditions to support these systems.

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