WWF UK - THE FUTURE OF UK VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN A TRIPLE CHALLENGE CONTEXT

In summary, restoring and sustainably managing our lowland peatlands is a win for the climate and nature, but will have impacts on the quantity of food, including vegetables, produced there. We need to explore the evidence on innovative methods, and new landscapes, to produce vegetables, to accommodate less peat-based production and any increased demand for vegetables, without offshoring our impact.

MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE

We require a highly experienced consultant or consortium to provide an analysis of the available evidence on the following questions:

1. What do we grow on lowland peat soils, and are we using this valuable resource effectively?
2. Where (and how) should the CCC's 25% lowland peat restoration take place to maximise benefits to climate, nature and food production?
3. What does regenerative vegetable production look like on peat soils?
4. What are the opportunities to relocalise/decentralise our vegetable production to other areas of the UK? Could this be an opportunity for farmers? Would it provide the incentive for mixed agriculture to be profitable? What are the trade-offs?
5. If there are opportunities to relocalise/decentralise our vegetable production, what are the main barriers and what needs to happen to enable this? Government policy?

Sourcing standards? Technical/mechanical innovation?

6. What is the role of innovation and new forms of food production, such as vertical farming and paludiculture? For diversification for farmers and for food production?

These questions should be explored using a review of available sources, qualitative analysis of stakeholder views where appropriate and include conceptual and applied case studies that demonstrate workable solutions to the triple challenge in UK vegetable production.