Tesco is today calling for the introduction of a national baselining framework for on-farm data to bolster UK food security.
The retailer has launched an extension of its environmental data baselining programme to help lamb and beef farmers capture soil, water and nature data at scale for the first time.
At an event for British farmers and suppliers at the supermarket’s headquarters, CEO Ashwin Prasad will call for the introduction of a national data baselining framework to end the “patchwork approach to data collection, and safeguard the country’s food security”.
This follows new research from Tesco canvassing the views of hundreds of UK farmers, which found 91% want government to do more to support farming resilience.
It also found 68% want to make their farms more environmentally-friendly, but 96% of farmers cite inconsistent environmental standards and data reporting as a key barrier. A further 73% reported difficulties getting vital innovation onto farms that will improve efficiency, resilience and sustainability.
Soil health was highlighted by 64% of farmers as a particular area of concern.
“British farmers are the backbone of our food system but they face unprecedented pressure, from rising costs and climate shocks to uncertainty over government policy,” said Prasad.
“They tell us data is vital to measuring and driving improvements in sustainability and efficiency on farms, but the patchwork approach to data across the UK has resulted in a lack of a unified or standardised framework to track industry-wide progress or share insight and best practice.”
Tesco’s new data baselining programme, referred to as the Tesco Sustainable Farming Programme, aims to address farmer concerns and has been delivered in partnership with Soil Association Exchange.
The programme will support 360 beef and lamb farmers from Tesco’s Sustainable Farming Groups to capture soil, water and nature data at “unprecedented” scale.
It will establish clear baseline measurements over the initial 12 months, providing farmers with tailored advice to strengthen farm resilience and efficiency and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable food system.
“Our new programme will give farmers the data and tools to build resilience. It’s vital farmers are provided with a clear and consistent reporting framework to reduce the burden they face and make it easier for the whole industry to measure and scale progress,” said Prasad.
He added this would be “fundamental to creating a stronger future for UK agriculture”.
The programme builds on Tesco’s financial incentives scheme, which it launched in August and included more than £800,000 to support its dairy farmers to assess and establish a baseline for soil and water health on their farms.
“Establishing and supporting a consistent national baselining framework is essential if we are to measure progress fairly, unlock new opportunities, and build resilience across the sector,” said former NFU president Minette Batters. “The whole industry must work together to support farmers in this transition and ensure UK agriculture can thrive in the years ahead.”
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