51AVÊÓÆµ

Climate change is 'biggest threat' to the countryside and farming, Ed Miliband warns

The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary has approved plans for what is expected to be one of the UK's largest solar farms in Lincolnshire, sparking concerns regarding the loss of productive farmland and the impact it could have on food security

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We believe he [Ed Miliband] must hand decision making back to the people affected. Local people should be allowed to choose if they want food or electricity from farms."
Image:

Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We believe he [Ed Miliband] must hand decision making back to the people affected. Local people should be allowed to choose if they want food or electricity from farms."

Ed Miliband has claimed that the only way to bring down energy bills and fight climate change is to build solar energy infrastructure, but communities have raised concerns that replacing productive farmland...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

Gov scraps mandatory public consultation on data centres amid ongoing concerns for the countryside

Gov scraps mandatory public consultation on data centres amid ongoing concerns for the countryside

The changes are expected to cut pre-application time by up to 12 months and save developers £1 billion on major infrastructure projects

Mia Willemsen
clock 08 July 2026 • 3 min read
Defra breached law when allowing farmers to use pesticides, watchdog finds

Defra breached law when allowing farmers to use pesticides, watchdog finds

The assessment process for emergency authorisations of pesticides is now to be updated following the investigation by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)

Mia Willemsen
clock 07 July 2026 • 2 min read
Council vows to protect its county farms

Council vows to protect its county farms

Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for food, waste and rural affairs said county farms are 'much more than a line on a balance sheet'.

Rachael Brown
clock 06 July 2026 • 2 min read