Category: Food & Farming

Issues relating to Food Production, Food Security, Farming, Agriculture, Growing, The Food Chain

Visit The LEGS ecosystem

So here we are, New Year’s Eve, and as I sit here with not much more than 12 hours of 2025 left, my thoughts – like those of many others – are reflecting on the past year and what may lie ahead.

2025 has been a busy writing year for me, and an important one. It feels as though the real purpose behind a four‑year journey of writing, researching, studying and creating has finally taken shape in The Local Economy & Governance System, which I published in November, and in the refined or distilled version of The Basic Living Standard, which I published about a month earlier.

As I discussed in the story that gives meaning and depth to the journey that brought me here – Safe Shores, published just a day or two ago – the compulsion I first felt in early 2022 to share an honest view of what is really going on, how we got here, what lies ahead, and what we truly need to consider, first became the book Levelling Level.

At that point, nothing suggested that a whole series of standalone works would follow, each offering perspectives that wouldn’t begin to reveal their practical interconnectedness until I was already several titles in.

In the future, it may be appropriate to bring all of these works together in one or more books that will make more sense for those looking solely for reference material. However, that time isn’t now.

I feel sure of this because I understand that the different efforts and approaches I used to cover the varied but equally important perspectives needed for genuine change are best left as they are – for now. As they each feed into The Local Economy & Governance System from different directions, meeting people where they currently are.

Nonetheless, as we stare at the imminency of 2026 – with what I suspect will be a shared sense that the year ahead is unlikely to resemble anything anyone alive today has ever experienced – I feel it is time to put the list of all the key books, blogs and papers that have effectively created the “LEGS ecosystem” in one place.

This is for those of you already stepping into this room with the understanding that nothing we know can continue as it is.

You will be able to explore the different angles and perspectives I have shared so far -those I believe will be most valuable if you truly want to make sense of what change needs to be, why it must take that form, what we must consider and allow for along the way, and what a new culture of community leaders and community members will need to do once they have made sense of it all.

It is important to reiterate that while different elements of this portfolio may sound like solutions or methods that could be applied within the money‑centric system that is now collapsing, the reality is that I had always hoped the political class and establishment leaders we have would experience a lucid moment and suddenly find a set of gears they never realised they had.

Regrettably, I no longer see that as possible. The process of discovery and thought I have been on has made clear that every part of life currently points the wrong way –towards money as the priority in every sense – and that nobody who believes in, or benefits from, the systems that feed this will relinquish that belief until circumstances outside the control of the collapsing system intervene and force their hand.

The politicians we have – even those so many are placing their hopes upon – are not and cannot be the saviours that the disillusioned and angry would like them to be. They simply want to take over as the drivers of a train that can only go in the same direction.

In their current roles, and in the roles they hope to attain, they cannot be anything other than managers with an ever‑dwindling set of responsibilities – because that is how the recusers of this same system have successfully set up anyone subservient to this political model to be.

Yes, there may be some genuine leaders in politics today who have a part to play. But the difference between the end of the Moneyocracy and the centralised, hierarchical, top‑down, patriarchal system we must leave behind is that the people who lead our communities politically in the future will do so through natural disposition, respect and merit from the community itself. Not simply because someone none of us will ever know rubber‑stamped their ascent after they said and did all the right things.

There are tough times ahead. But they can be navigated and overcome if we remember who we really are, and what our relationships with other people, our communities and the environment around us should be.

It sounds simple when put like that, I know. But the work that follows in the lists below will show that it is anything but simple – until the moment when the truth of all this makes sense. Then the need to change the direction and thinking behind everything becomes clear, and you begin to believe.

I hope you find this resource useful, and that if you have genuine questions or an interest in building on the words and ideas I have shared, you will get in touch and step toward the opportunity of a great future that begins where the conversation begins.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for your support.

Adam Tugwell

Cheltenham, UK

New Years Eve, 2025

The LEGS ecosystem Portfolio

The collection that follows represents the full body of work that has grown around the Local Economy & Governance System – the LEGS ecosystem.

Each piece was written at a different stage of the journey, often without knowing what would come next, yet all of them now sit together as part of a single, evolving picture.

Some began as blogs written in the moment, some became online versions of the books, and others developed into the published editions now available on Amazon.

This portfolio isn’t intended to be read in a particular order or treated as a linear argument. Instead, it offers a set of perspectives, explanations, warnings and practical ideas that together help make sense of where we are, how we got here, and what genuine change will require.

Whether you dip into one or explore them all, each contributes something different to the understanding of the system we must leave behind and the one we must build.

What you’ll find below is simply a clear way to access it all: the blogs, the online texts, and the links to the books themselves.

If you’re ready to explore the thinking behind the LEGS ecosystem in more depth, this is where that exploration begins.

Foundational Concepts & Philosophy (Books)

1. The Basic Living Standard: Introducing Locality Based Economics and how we can achieve financial freedom for ALL
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTHS8137
Explains the concept of a basic living standard, advocating for local economies that empower everyone to achieve financial freedom. It introduces foundational ideas for a fairer, people-centric economic system.

2. Levelling Level: Using the impact and lessons of everything in crisis to change the UK for the better and create a benchmark standard for a balanced and fair way of life that will benefit us all
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WYVV9H8
Reflects on crises and their lessons, proposing a new benchmark for a balanced, fair society. It sets the stage for systemic change by examining what needs to be improved in the UK.

3. Safe Shores: The Pathway That Led to The Local Economy & Governance System and the Basic Living Standard
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GD12BN5P
Shares the personal journey and motivations behind the creation of the LEGS ecosystem and the Basic Living Standard, providing context for the development of these ideas.

Core System & Practice

4. The Local Economy & Governance System: Act Now to build Fair Sustainable Communities Together
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G34VX1LQ
Presents the core framework of the LEGS ecosystem, detailing how communities can act collectively to build fair, sustainable local economies and governance structures.

5. From Principle To Practice: Bringing the Local Economy & Governance System to Life
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GCG1D4HG
Focuses on practical steps for implementing the LEGS system, translating its principles into actionable strategies for communities.

6. The Contribution Culture: Transforming Work, Business and Governance for Our Local Future with The Local Economy & Governance System
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GD7VHYR1
Explores how work, business, and governance can be transformed through a culture of contribution, aligning with the LEGS philosophy for local futures.

Practical Applications & Sector Focus

7. Foods We Can Trust: A Blueprint for Food Security and Community Resilience in the UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G6T5RRMR
Addresses food security and community resilience, offering solutions for trustworthy food systems within the UK’s local economies.

8. Who controls Our Food controls Our Future: Why Farming is collapsing, Food Security is disappearing, and Myths convince Consumers that no problem exists
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DN17THTK
Examines the collapse of farming and food security, challenging myths and highlighting the importance of local control over food systems.

9. One Rule Changes Everything: Solving Society’s problems using our relationship with money, values and people to create a solution that lasts
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CQKFW4DV
Proposes a transformative rule for society, focusing on the interplay between money, values, and people to create lasting solutions.

Societal Change & Governance

10. The Way of Awakened Politics for Good Government
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BNYZQT95
Discusses the need for a new approach to politics and governance, advocating for awakened, community-driven leadership.

11. The Grassroots Manifesto: Establishing Policy & Governance for a post-Reset Democracy, putting People and Communities First
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C2ZL3HZ5
Outlines policies and governance models for a post-reset democracy, emphasizing grassroots involvement and prioritizing people and communities.

12. Officially NONE OF THE ABOVE: 10 Steps to Vote NONE OF THE ABOVE and make every Vote count too
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C5RN8BGQ
Provides a guide for political engagement, encouraging readers to make their votes count by considering alternatives to traditional choices.

13. An Economy for the Common Good: Building, enabling and maintaining good governance, self-sufficiency and freedom for all people and our communities
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DXPQNJ28
Describes how to build and sustain an economy focused on the common good, self-sufficiency, and freedom for all.

Personal & Community Transformation

14. A Community Route: How we work together to fix the societal issues that are hurting everyone
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BZW8JMH1
Explores collaborative approaches to solving societal problems, emphasizing community action and shared responsibility.

15. Our Local Future: People, Community, Environment and what Our shared tomorrow may look like when We leave today’s selfish Moneyocracy behind
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DDKZC7P1
Imagines a future shaped by local values, community, and environmental stewardship, moving beyond a money-centric society.

16. Your Beliefs Today create Everyone’s Experiences Tomorrow: The Timelines we are on today, the Diversity of their Outcomes and the impact of Thinking Differently for Our Future
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DSSY84ST
Examines how current beliefs shape future experiences, encouraging readers to think differently for better outcomes.

17. The Choice – A Waking Up Story: It may be false. It could be true. But one way or another this is a story for our time and somewhere it will probably include you
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FJ2Y5Y92
Offers a narrative exploring personal and societal awakening, prompting reflection on individual roles in shaping the future.

18. From Here to There Through Now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BGSHSSDX
Focuses on navigating change and transition, guiding readers through the process of moving from current realities to desired futures.

19. Is Poverty invisible to those who don’t experience it?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D674762T
Investigates the realities of poverty, challenging perceptions and highlighting the need for greater awareness and action.

20. Actions Speak Louder than Digital Words: Living with & making sense of AI
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7L7PYRV
Discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on society, emphasizing the importance of meaningful action in a digital age.

Online Books: Titles, Links, and Summaries

Already Described in Kindle Section

The following online books correspond to Kindle editions already summarized above. For their descriptions, please refer to the previous list:

Unique Online Blogs (Titles, Links, and Summaries)

  1. A Reader’s Companion to From Principle To Practice
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/25/a-readers-companion-to-from-principle-to-practice-bringing-the-local-economy-governance-system-to-life/
    A supplementary guide to “From Principle To Practice,” offering commentary, clarifications, and additional insights for deeper understanding.
  2. The Basic Living Standard: Freedom to Think, Freedom to Do, Freedom to Be – with Personal Sovereignty that Brings Peace to All
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/15/the-basic-living-standard-freedom-to-think-freedom-to-do-freedom-to-be-with-personal-sovereignty-that-brings-peace-to-all/
    Explores the philosophical and practical dimensions of the Basic Living Standard, focusing on personal sovereignty and the freedoms necessary for a peaceful, equitable society.
  3. Understanding Foods We Can Trust: A Blueprint for Food Security and Community Resilience in the UK
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/15/understanding-foods-we-can-trust-a-blueprint-for-food-security-and-community-resilience-in-the-uk/
    Provides an accessible explanation of the key ideas in “Foods We Can Trust,” making the blueprint for food security and resilience understandable for a broad audience.
  4. The Future of Work: Redefining Value, Meaning and Human-Centric Employment in the Age of AI and Economic Change
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/08/the-future-of-work-redefining-value-meaning-and-human-centric-employment-in-the-age-of-ai-and-economic-change/
    Examines how work and employment must evolve in response to AI and economic transformation, emphasizing human-centric values and meaningful contribution.
  5. Power and Distance: Why UK Politics Fails the Public and How Local Governance Can Restore Trust
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/06/power-and-distance-why-uk-politics-fails-the-public-and-how-local-governance-can-restore-trust/
    Analyzes the disconnect between UK politics and the public, and proposes how local governance reforms can rebuild trust and accountability.
  6. The Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS): Escaping the AI Takeover and Building a Human Future
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/04/the-local-economy-governance-system-legs-escaping-the-ai-takeover-and-building-a-human-future/
    Discusses the risks of unchecked AI in economic systems and presents the LEGS model as a way to ensure a human-centered future.
  7. The Role of Barter and Exchange in the Local Economy & Governance System
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/03/the-role-of-barter-and-exchange-in-the-local-economy-governance-system/
    Explores alternative economic mechanisms such as barter and exchange, and their place within the LEGS framework.
  8. The Basic Living Standard: How & Why It Works
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/01/the-basic-living-standard-how-why-it-works/
    A practical explanation of the mechanisms and rationale behind the Basic Living Standard, aimed at demystifying its implementation.
  9. LEGS: The Human Economy – A Blueprint for Transformation
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/01/legs-the-human-economy-a-blueprint-for-transformation/
    Presents a transformative blueprint for shifting from a money-centric to a human-centric economy using the LEGS principles.
  10. Understanding Who Controls Our Food Controls Our Future: Everything You Need to Know
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/23/understanding-who-controls-our-food-controls-our-future-everything-you-need-to-know/
    Breaks down the arguments and evidence from “Who Controls Our Food Controls Our Future,” making the case for local food sovereignty.
  11. The Local Economy & Governance System Policy Summary
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/22/the-local-economy-governance-system-policy-summary/
    A concise summary of the key policies and recommendations within the LEGS framework.
  12. The Basic Living Standard: Not a Fix for a Collapsing Money-Centric System but the People-Centric Foundation of a New One
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/16/the-basic-living-standard-not-a-fix-for-a-collapsing-money-centric-system-but-the-people-centric-foundation-of-a-new-one/
    Clarifies the Basic Living Standard’s role as a foundation for a new, people-centric system, rather than a patch for the old money-centric model.
  13. Technology and Artificial Intelligence Should Only Fill Jobs When No Humans Are Available
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/13/technology-and-artificial-intelligence-should-only-fill-jobs-when-no-humans-are-available/
    Argues for a cautious approach to AI in the workforce, prioritizing human employment and dignity.
  14. After the Collapse: Who Gets the Blame?
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/12/after-the-collapse-who-gets-the-blame/
    Reflects on accountability and responsibility in the aftermath of systemic collapse.
  15. Breaking the Money Myth: Rethinking Value, Exchange and Equality
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/12/breaking-the-money-myth-rethinking-value-exchange-and-equality/
    Challenges conventional beliefs about money, value, and equality, and suggests new paradigms for exchange.
  16. The Coming Collapse and the Revaluation of Everything Needed to Regain Personal Freedom and Control
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/12/the-coming-collapse-and-the-revaluation-of-everything-needed-to-regain-personal-freedom-and-control/
    Examines the societal shifts required to restore personal freedom and control in the face of systemic collapse.
  17. Government is Broken: Collapse Now or Collapse Later
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/05/government-is-broken-collapse-now-or-collapse-later/
    A critical look at the failures of government and the inevitability of systemic change.
  18. Why People Can’t Just Get a Job
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/04/why-people-cant-just-get-a-job/
    Explores the structural barriers to employment and the inadequacy of simplistic solutions.
  19. The Basic Living Standard Explained
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/10/24/the-basic-living-standard-explained/
    Provides a straightforward explanation of the Basic Living Standard for newcomers.
  20. Beliefs We Accept as Our Own Are Destroying Everything – Including Who We Really Are
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/09/16/beliefs-we-accept-as-our-own-are-destroying-everything-including-who-we-really-are/
    Investigates how internalized beliefs shape society and individual well-being.
  21. Neither This Government Nor the Next Can or Will Stop the Coming Collapse – and That’s When You May Well End Up Owning Nothing and Be Forced to Be Happy About It
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/09/05/neither-this-government-nor-the-next-can-or-will-stop-the-coming-collapse-and-thats-when-you-may-well-end-up-owning-nothing-and-be-forced-to-be-happy-about-it/
    Warns of the limitations of political solutions to systemic crises.
  22. Future Economics Must Be Tied Only to People, Their Contribution, What Is Important to Sustain Good, Fair and Balanced Lives – and Legal Currency Must Never Again Be Open to Speculation and Manipulation
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/07/25/future-economics-must-be-tied-only-to-people-their-contribution-what-is-important-to-sustain-good-fair-and-balanced-lives-and-legal-currency-must-never-again-open-to-speculation-and-manipulation/
    Advocates for a people-centered economic model and the reform of currency systems.
  23. Desperate Times, Desperate Resets
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/03/24/desperate-times-desperate-resets/
    Reflects on the necessity and risks of radical systemic resets in desperate times.
  24. How the UK Was Led into the Fiscal-Driven Armageddon We Are Now Within
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/03/24/how-the-uk-was-led-into-the-fiscal-driven-armageddon-we-are-now-within/
    Analyzes the policy decisions and events that led to the UK’s current fiscal crisis.
  25. The Basic Living Standard: A Pathway to Economic Equality and Fairness Throughout Life
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/03/10/the-basic-living-standard-a-pathway-to-economic-equality-and-fairness-throughout-life/
    Details how the Basic Living Standard can create lifelong economic equality and fairness.
  26. Rethinking the Minimum Wage: The Need for a Basic Living Standard
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2024/12/17/rethinking-the-minimum-wage-the-need-for-a-basic-living-standard/
    Makes the case for moving beyond minimum wage debates to a universal Basic Living Standard.
  27. The Harmful Truths That Are Hidden Behind Political Growth
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2024/12/06/the-harmful-truths-that-are-hidden-behind-political-growth/
    Uncovers the negative consequences of growth-focused political narratives.
  28. The Contemporary Politician’s Dilemma
    https://adamtugwell.blog/2024/12/05/the-contemporary-politicians-dilemma/
    Examines the challenges and contradictions faced by today’s politicians.
The LEGS ecosystem PDF_Vers1_31Dec25Download

UK Farmers’ Inheritance Tax Changes: What does the Government’ Christmas Announcement Really Mean for Food Security?

This morning, I was asked by someone who grew up in farming and knows what I do whether I thought the government’s announcement about changes to the farmers’ inheritance tax threshold and transfer allowance would be the end of it.

My immediate reply was that, given the Spring Budget or Statement date had been announced only the day before, the whole thing seemed suspicious to say the very least.

That’s before we even consider the timing: just before Christmas, and only days after the Batters Farming Profitably Review (FPR) was published.

As I suggested in my follow‑up blog, the FPR told many truths about the downward spiral that U.K. farming is now in, but it did so firmly within the context and framing that government and the wider establishment have set.

That’s only helpful if you believe that having the truth spelled out about the things killing an industry – and by default, UK food security – is the same as being heard. And that being heard – if you actually are – will lead to meaningful change rather than simply becoming more words added to the pile.

Whilst the news will bring some comfort to those who see the extension of the IHT window as a kind of Christmas gift, the regrettable truth is that even a complete U‑turn by the government on this single policy won’t change the direction of travel.

Nor will it alter the wide range of influences and pressures – many of which were identified in the FPR – that are tightening like a thumb screw and will ultimately destroy independent and traditional farming methods in this country.

The question, regrettably, given that everyone is still moving in the same direction, when you look at what their legs rather than what their lips are doing, is this: what will be the real cost of a story that grabs just enough attention to make people believe the farming and food‑security crisis is suddenly heading somewhere different?

Further Reading: Understanding the Context and Challenges Facing UK Farming

To help you dive deeper into the issues discussed in this blog – especially the government’s inheritance tax changes, the Batters Farming Profitably Review, and the broader crisis in UK food security – here’s a recommended list of Adam’s articles.

Each summary highlights the relevance of the link to the ongoing debate and the future of British farming.

1. https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/19/a-few-thoughts-on-minette-batters-farming-profitability-review-fpr/

A critical analysis of the FPR, this post explores the truths revealed about the downward spiral in UK farming, while questioning whether simply acknowledging the problems will lead to meaningful change. It sets the stage for understanding the policy environment and the pressures facing farmers today.

2. https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/08/14/farm-inheritance-tax-was-always-about-wrecking-independent-uk-food-production-thats-why-it-defies-common-sense/

This article delves into the history and intent behind farm inheritance tax, arguing that it has long undermined independent food production in the UK. It provides essential background for readers seeking to understand why inheritance tax remains such a contentious issue.

3. https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/22/risk-and-responsibility-why-farmers-must-choose-to-rebuild-the-uk-food-system-before-its-too-late/

This post emphasises the urgency for farmers to take proactive steps in rebuilding the UK food system. It discusses the risks involved and the responsibilities that fall on those within the industry to drive change before the situation becomes irreversible.

4. https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/23/understanding-who-controls-our-food-controls-our-future-everything-you-need-to-know/

An exploration of the power dynamics in UK food production, this article explains how control over food systems shapes the nation’s future. It’s a vital read for those interested in the intersection of policy, industry, and food security.

5. https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/01/18/the-need-for-a-collaborative-approach-to-the-uk-farming-and-food-security-problem/

This piece advocates for collaboration among farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the complex challenges facing UK farming and food security. It offers practical insights and solutions for building a more resilient system.

6. https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/22/how-the-trail-hunting-ban-exposes-a-bigger-battle-for-britain/

Broadening the discussion, this article connects rural policy battles – like the trail hunting ban- to the larger struggle over Britain’s countryside, farming, and food systems. It provides context for understanding the wider political and cultural forces at play.

7. https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/18/adams-food-and-farming-portfolio-a-guide-to-books-blogs-and-solutions/

A comprehensive guide to further reading and resources, this portfolio is ideal for readers who want to explore more about UK farming, food security, and potential solutions.

UK Farmers IHT Changes PDF_Vers1_24Dec25Download

How the Trail Hunting Ban Exposes a Bigger Battle for Britain

Trying to unpick what looks like the sudden announcement that the government intends to ban trail hunting in the upcoming animal welfare strategy is far more complicated than it first appears.

The easy explanation is to fall back on the familiar left‑vs‑right framing – the tired them‑vs‑us narrative that has shaped the hunting debate for decades. But that framing has always obscured more than it has revealed.

Across the UK today, some will feel they have won and others will feel they have lost. Yet this moment isn’t new, nor is the opportunity to take a different path.

As I argued in my blog published on Christmas Day in 2017, the solutions that could have kept young people, rural voters, and the wider public onside have been hiding in plain sight for years.

Knowing people who hunt and people who don’t – and many who sit somewhere in between – I feel exactly as I did when I wrote that piece.

There was always a workable middle ground. The model we have today could have functioned well and kept most people broadly content, if only all sides had been willing to look beyond their own entrenched positions.

Instead of trying to rewrite the rules of the game or cling to the past as if personal belief were a universal right to impose on others, they could have chosen a bigger‑picture approach that protected both rural culture and public confidence.

But we live in a time when being “right” has become more important than being effective.

That mindset pushes people into emotional trenches, where the goal becomes defeating the other side rather than understanding what winning actually looks like in a changing world.

As the years have passed, since the ‘Hunting Ban’ came into force, the battle lines have hardened. Few have stopped to consider how easily self‑made traps can spring shut. And the hunting community, through its own shortcuts, diversions, and refusal to adapt, has handed the government the perfect excuse to act.

This is the same government that has already shown its willingness to undermine British rural life – the illogical Farm IHT rule being a prime example. Now, with trail hunting, they have been gifted a justification that many outside the community will accept without hesitation.

Many will still refuse to see what is happening. But when a government is openly delaying local elections, it is not unreasonable to expect they may attempt the same with the next general election if they can cling to power until 2029.

At the heart of this is a belief that everyone else is wrong and they alone are right.

If they succeed in pushing this change through before they lose power – assuming they haven’t already managed to entrench themselves further – the concern is that this will mark the true end of hunting as a living part of our culture and heritage.

Once an outright ban, or anything that functions as one, is in place, reversing it will be nowhere near the top of anyone’s agenda. Not with the scale of the political, economic, and social mess we have building up ahead.

Further Reading:

Young people and rural voters could all be kept happy with solutions to the Foxhunting debate that are already hiding in plain sight
Adam’s Food and Farming Portfolio: A Guide to Books, Blogs and Solutions
A Few Thoughts on Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review (FPR)
The Trail Hunting Ban Exposes a Bigger Battle for Britain PDF_Vers1_22Dec25Download

A Few Thoughts on Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review (FPR)

Expectations of the FPR

The Farming Profitability Review, authored by Minette Batters, was finally released yesterday. Like many others, I downloaded the 150‑page document hoping it might herald positive change for our farmers.

Given Minette’s respected tenure as NFU president, many anticipated that this review would provide a clear, unvarnished account of the situation.

Authored and presented by one of their own, it was expected to carry the weight and credibility needed to push government support for UK farming back to where it belongs.

On that basis, the content does read as a genuine set of proposals rooted in what the industry itself recognises as urgent needs. Phrases such as “A New Deal for Profitable Farming”, the FARM proposal, and the assertion that “The UK is widely regarded as one of the most prized food markets in the world” will sound like music to many ears. Yet they also underscore the uncomfortable question: why, when everyone in the UK needs food every day, are farm businesses failing or closing?

Industry Context & Policy

The report covers the expected themes – profitability, overseas trade, nutrition, and more. But context is everything.

The elephant in the room is that farming policy continues to follow the establishment’s agenda: serving government and big business interests rather than what is genuinely best for farmers, and therefore for all of us.

This is where major food and farming advocacy organisations, and their champions old and new, fall short. They continue to operate within the framework defined by government, addressing symptoms rather than causes, and avoiding the deeper realities of the industry’s decline.

Documents of this kind often reveal the underlying truths driving government thinking. One of the clearest comes early in the Foreword, where Minette reminds readers that politicians dismiss farming because it represents only 0.6% of GDP. This stark figure highlights that, for politicians, the economy and money matter far more than farming, food security or the human issues as most normal people see them.

An industry valued at just 0.6% of GDP, reliant on grants and subsidies that do little to boost GDP, is not seen as an engine of growth. Ministers repeatedly emphasise their obsession with economic output, because under the current financial system – broken and rapidly failing as it is – growth is the only measure that sustains their positions while allowing them to avoid responsibility.

Profitability: Competing Definitions

The fact that the review is overtly about profitability says it all – not least because the term carries very different meanings depending on who is using it.

For farmers and small business owners, profitability means staying in the black: running a viable enterprise that pays wages and hopefully leaves a little extra. For politicians, however, profitability is measured in terms of supermarket margins and GDP contributions.

This warped definition highlights how broken the system has become: profitability is reduced to a metric of economic growth, rather than the lived reality of whether farms can survive.

In this way, farming is forced to fit into an economic narrative that serves government borrowing and spending priorities, rather than the needs of those who produce our food.

Economic Pressures and Regulatory Burdens

The figures in the report speak volumes: machinery costs have risen by 31%, and compliance with new regulations demands massive investment.

Though introduced under the guise of improving standards, these rules inevitably push more farmers and allied businesses out of the market because they cannot compete – and that reality bears much of the truth that lies behind the journey that UK farming has been on since the early 70’s.

Put bluntly, farming within this framework is not viable – and was never intended to be.

The establishment does not want traditional, independent farms to survive.

Even Minette’s more positive suggestions, however well‑intentioned, cannot succeed in this context. They risk becoming distractions – “dead cats” -designed to maintain the illusion that government is invested in the UK food chain and food security, when the evidence clearly shows otherwise.

What I would have liked to see is a stronger message about the importance of UK food production and the need to move towards self‑sufficiency.

Feeding the British public with fresh, healthy, nutritious food that is accessible and affordable should not be an aspiration – it should already be the baseline.

With food as vital as it is, and every one of us needing at least two meals a day, this is surely more important than abstract questions of GDP growth.

Harsh though it may sound, this report feels more like a whitewash than a clean shet. It’s exactly the kind of document political and establishment leaders hope for to cover their tracks and agendas.

Knowing how those from the farming advocacy organisations play along with government to stay close to power rather than risk friction, it stands to reason that the review may have been genuine and well‑intentioned but never risked being positioned to create problems for politicians by tabling the full truth. Regrettably, it fails to grapple with the central issue: the government’s relationship with farming is not about food, farming, or feeding the nation – it is simply about money and the transfer of power and wealth.

Government is not deaf to farmers – it simply does not care. That indifference is the real crisis.

The current approach to UK Agricultural and Food Policy, embedded long before this Labour government, is dismantling our food production capability by making it impossible for farmers to continue. This is a growing risk to everyone.

If borders closed tomorrow and external food supplies were cut off, around only 12% of the UK’s food supply would be immediately available to consumers.

The rest – despite the UK producing 52–58% the equivalent of what it consumes – would not be any good to the public for a considerable time, because the UK farming is subservient to and fits within the Euro‑Global food chain.

The majority of our People could go hungry in a real crisis and this is the reality we should be confronting – not how profits and therefore more helpful statistics are made.

A Call for Farmer-Led Change

Ultimately, only the farming industry can save itself – and that means taking immediate risks.

However, taking risks while there is still an industry left worth risking must surely be better than passively watching its demise until every independent and family farm in the UK has been shut down.

Summary & Key Takeaways:
Adam offers a critical perspective on the Farming Profitability Review, highlighting both its intentions and its limitations from the viewpoint of UK farmers and food producers.

Key Points

  • High Expectations, Mixed Delivery:
    Farmers and industry stakeholders anticipated a transformative report, given Minette Batters’s reputation and leadership. The FPR presents genuine suggestions but remains constrained by establishment narratives.
  • Profitability Framed by Policy:
    The FPR’s focus on profitability is shaped by government priorities – specifically, farming’s small contribution to GDP. This economic lens overshadows broader issues like food security and the viability of independent farms.
  • Systemic Challenges:
    Rising costs (e.g., machinery up 31%) and regulatory burdens are pushing more farmers out of business. The FPR acknowledges these pressures but doesn’t fully address their root causes.
  • Establishment Influence:
    The FPR is too aligned with government and the aims of large corporate organisations that influence the food chain, lacking the independent advocacy needed to truly represent farmers’ interests.
  • Food Security Concerns:
    Adam’s response stresses the importance of UK food self-sufficiency, noting that current policies leave the nation vulnerable if external supply chains are disrupted.
  • Call for Farmer-Led Solutions:
    Ultimately, Adam argues that only the farming industry itself can safeguard its future, urging collective action and risk-taking to preserve independent and family farms.

Further Reading:

The resources below have been selected to help you explore the central themes discussed in this response.
Key topics include:

  • The roles and priorities of farmers and consumers in UK food production
  • The impact of government policy, economic pressures, and systemic challenges on farming
  • The importance of food security and community resilience
  • Practical solutions and future directions for rebuilding and sustaining the UK food system

1. Understanding UK Food Production & Stakeholders

2. Policy, Economics & Systemic Challenges

3. Solutions, Action & Future Directions

Batters Farming Profitability Review December 2025 PDFDownload
Response to the FPR PDF_Vers1_19Dec25Download

Adam’s Food and Farming Portfolio: A Guide to Books, Blogs and Solutions

Welcome to Building Better Futures: Food, Community, and Beyond – a portfolio that brings together a diverse collection of blogs and books dedicated to shaping resilient communities and thriving local economies through the lens of food and farming.

This area of work is a vital part of my broader professional journey, reflecting a commitment to practical solutions, thoughtful analysis, and transformative ideas.

Within this collection, you’ll find a wide range of resources – many of which are available as downloadable PDFs at each link, making it easy to access and share insights.

A number of the books are also available for purchase as Kindle editions on Amazon, offering flexible ways to engage with the material.

Central to this portfolio is my belief that food sits at the very heart of future communities and local economies. This vision is explored within the works listed here, with each section delving into how food systems, sustainable agriculture, and collaborative local action can empower individuals and strengthen society.

From foundational essays on the importance of farming, through analyses of current challenges and policy barriers, to practical blueprints for resilient food systems, these resources invite you to reimagine what’s possible for our shared future.

Please explore the links below to discover actionable ideas, innovative models, and a vision for building better futures – starting with food, and reaching far beyond.

1. Foundations: The Importance of Food and Farming

Introduction:
This section lays the groundwork for understanding why food and farming are central to the wellbeing of communities and nations. These pieces highlight the fundamental role of agriculture and the urgent need to recognise and support those who produce our food.


Having established the essential role of food and farming in society, the next section delves into the pressing challenges and threats facing the UK’s food system today.

These entries reveal why urgent attention and action are needed to safeguard our agricultural foundations.

2. Current Challenges: Crisis, Policy, and Threats

Introduction:
This section examines the mounting pressures and systemic issues threatening UK food security. The entries here analyse the causes and consequences of the current crisis, urging immediate action to prevent further decline.


Understanding the scope of the crisis leads naturally to an exploration of the political and economic barriers that hinder progress.

The following pieces critique the policies and market forces that shape – and often obstruct – efforts to build a resilient food system.

3. Political and Economic Barriers

Introduction:
This section explores the political and economic obstacles that hinder progress in food and farming. The entries critique current policies and highlight the need for a shift toward self-sufficiency and local resilience.


With the obstacles clearly outlined, attention turns to how farmers and their allies are responding.

This section examines the spectrum of advocacy and activism, highlighting both the risks and the opportunities for constructive change.

4. Farmer Responses: Advocacy, Militancy, and New Directions

Introduction:
This section discusses how farmers and their supporters are responding to challenges. It encourages constructive, peaceful approaches and warns against divisive or counterproductive activism.


Moving beyond reaction, the next section focuses on solutions. Here, collaboration and local action take centre stage, offering practical pathways to strengthen food security and empower communities.

5. Building Solutions: Collaboration and Localisation

Introduction:
This section presents constructive approaches for improving food security and farming. It emphasizes collaboration, local action, and practical steps to build a resilient food system.


As collaborative efforts gain momentum, the conversation expands to consider new models for local economic governance. These entries introduce innovative mechanisms – such as barter and exchange – that can underpin a more resilient and equitable food system.

6. Economic Systems: Local Governance and Exchange

Introduction:
This section introduces new models for local economic governance, focusing on food as a central pillar. It explores alternative mechanisms like barter and exchange, and proposes frameworks for economies that prioritize collective wellbeing.


Finally, the collection concludes by examining the deeper questions of control and power within food systems.

This last section analyses who holds influence, how policy shapes outcomes, and what it will take to build trustworthy, future-proof food systems for all.

7. Control, Power, and the Future

Introduction:
This section concludes the collection by examining who holds power in food systems and what that means for the future. These entries analyse policy, strategy, and the blueprint for building trustworthy, resilient food systems.

Let’s Continue the Conversation

Thank you for taking the time to explore Building Better Futures: Food, Community, and Beyond.

If the ideas, resources, or practical solutions here have sparked your interest, I would be delighted to hear from you. Whether you have questions, wish to discuss any of the topics in more depth, or are interested in collaborating, please feel free to get in touch.

I am always happy to share insights, exchange perspectives, and support your work. If you’re organizing an event or discussion where these themes are relevant, I welcome invitations to speak and contribute.

Let’s build better futures together – starting with food, and reaching far beyond.

Building Better Futures Portfolio PDF_Vers1_18Dec25Download