East Suffolk Council
Working together for sustainable farming future
A group of key farming and food sector stakeholders met with East Suffolk Council to discuss shared ambitions for producers and consumers.
Hosted by East Suffolk Council at Trinity Park – home of the county’s agricultural association – the roundtable meeting highlighted both the challenges and ‘win-win’ growth opportunities for resilience, sustainability and biodiversity through local food production and consumption.
The event was organised to recognise and promote the crucial role of farmers in East Suffolk, encourage the growth of local food businesses, and inform policymakers – sharing ideas on finding balanced solutions that support the local economy and supply chains while preserving and enhancing the environment and food security.
Responses collected from the event will help inform future policies and actions at East Suffolk Council. Environmental Impact and a Thriving Economy are two pillars of the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent administration’s strategic plan – Our Direction 2028.
Chaired by NFU Suffolk’s Glenn Buckingham, attendees also included local farmers and representatives of Suffolk Agricultural Association, Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Fram Farmers, Sizewell C, Hydrogen East, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses, including Wakelyns agroforestry hub.
East Suffolk Council’s economic development and climate change teams were also joined by Cabinet members Cllr Sally Noble (Environment), Cllr Vince Langdon-Morris (Resources and Value for Money), Cllr Sarah Whitelock (Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism), Cllr David Beavan (Housing) and Cllr Tom Daly (Energy and Climate Change).
As well as local food production and consumption, topics for discussion at the meeting included future potential for Hydrogen use in agricultural vehicles, and East Suffolk Council’s ambitious Tree and Hedgerow Strategy, which includes working with local landowners to help identify land which could be used for tree planting or making improvements for nature.
Cllr Langdon-Morris, who set up the event, said:
“We managed to convene a small, but well-attended lunchtime event, that led to innovative and interesting discussions by the experienced and qualified audience.
“As a local authority, we will follow up and translate the points made into concrete actions. For example, by providing planning training to local farmers that enables them to make their land more productive, yet also resilient – including to flooding, and at the same time enhance wildlife and biodiversity.”
Wendy Houston, Chair of Fram Farmers, thanked East Suffolk Council for arranging the meeting and offering a shared a platform for discussion.
“The council's commitment to exploring ways to support the consumption of locally produced food is an important step towards fostering a more sustainable and resilient community,” she added.
“By prioritising local producers and creating pathways for residents to access fresh, locally grown food, the council is not only strengthening our local economy but also promoting healthier, more sustainable food choices.”
At the last Census, East Suffolk was recorded as having more than 92,000 hectares of farmed land supporting a workforce of almost 2,800.