29th April 2025: 2nd Emergency Climate Press briefing announces policies to protect health and environment by transforming agricultural and food sectors

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The Prime Minister convened a second emergency press conference today to announce his government’s commitment to undertaking an ambitious agricultural and land-management transformation which he expects to boost domestic food production, transform UK diets, and facilitate nature restoration. The emergency press conference was the second today, following shortly after an emergency climate press conference held at lunch time, and seeks to emphasise the key role that the food and farming sectors play in promoting health and protecting the environment.

The conference was held outside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs. The Prime Minister was again joined by the Chief Scientific Officer, the Chief Medical Officer and the Public Perspective Representative, who provided vital medical and scientific content before he announced wide reaching policy commitments that focused on transitioning food production away from intensive animal farming to facilitate an increased domestic  production of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. This would bring the UK in line with international guidelines that emphasize the benefits of plant-based diets for prevention of chronic conditions and for mitigating against the impacts of climate change.

The mock briefing, which was reminiscent of the emergency briefings held during the Covid pandemic, included an overview of the agricultural contribution to carbon emissions, environmental damage and antibiotic resistance, the deteriorating UK diet and its impacts on the health of our population, and the urgent steps our government plans to take to protect public health and the environment.

The environmental impacts of our current agricultural sector are unsustainable. The widespread use of antibiotics within intensive farming poses a realistic threat of a post antibiotic era in which infection deaths will sky rocket. Farm waste from intensive animal agriculture, including faeces and synthetic fertilizers, is polluting our land, air and waterways, whilst   soya production for animal feed is driving devastating global deforestation. If we want our children to inherit a planet on which they can survive, let alone thrive; these practices cannot continue”.

Dr Tristram Wyatt PHD, Animal behaviour and Ecology Specialist and Chief Scientific Officer

The speakers emphasised, that just as with Covid, the government must be led by the science, if they are to protect the public and the NHS from the escalating environmental health catastrophe. The plan to respond to the climate health emergency by rolling out bold pro-farming and pro-health policies that subsidise healthy plant-based foods and nature stewardship, and tax unhealthy processed foods and polluting practices were announced, with a further promise to ensure that health, fairness, and public engagement would be at the heart of further policy development. 

“Our current way of eating is harming our health, our children’s health, and our environment and it cannot continue. The overconsumption of meat and foods high in fat, salt and sugar is fueling the rising burden on chronic ill health, especially obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers”.

Dr Ishani Rao, General Practitioner, Global Health specialist and Chief Medical Officer

Speakers acknowledged and criticised previous agricultural policy in which vested corporate interests and food lobbyists have again and again been allowed to influence UK food and agricultural policy to the detriment of the nation’s health. It was acknowledged that past policies have created an epidemic of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and an apology was made to the UK public for failing to protect them from food industry profiteering.

“This government recognises that facing the truth as a nation is a difficult and necessary step to taking action, and we are committed to both honesty and action. From today, our nation will face this threat together”.

Mr Neil Monaghan, Prime Minister

It was further promised that the public would be both told the truth about the impact of the food they eat on their health, and that in addition, support would be provided to address the now widespread availability of foods that provide little nutritional value. A further promise to engage and consult the public, health and nutritional professionals, and farming communities was made.

“The relentless power of the corporate food and advertising industries, combined with income and time poverty and poor access to affordable nutritious food has made it increasingly difficult for parents and children in particular to make healthy, positive food choices… I am so thankful that today, we can begin to hope that practical, honest and urgent steps to protect the future of our children will be taken“

Marion Neffgen, NHS Medical Psychotherapist and Public Perspective Representative

Despite the predominantly optimistic tone maintained  during the conference, speakers did not shy away from honestly describing the difficult hurdles and decisions we face, but made it clear that inaction was not an option. Importantly, the government emphasised that the policies announced are pro-farming and would see an increase not reduction in subsidies for farming and land management, with the goal being to ensure food security and sovereignty.

“We anticipate a growth in our farming sector with greater subsidies, an increase in farmers, land workers and nature conservationists, and an increase in the percentage of domestically produced food. We have the greatest respect for the role of food growers and producers in our society, and we intend to work with them, and with future farmers to ensure we have a sustainable agricultural system which supports health and the environment”. 

Mr Neil Monaghan, Prime Minister

The Prime Minister presented several key policy approaches which he promised would underscore a joined up government approach to the climate emergency and which would place health, wellbeing and justice at its core. These included:

  • A transition away from meat and dairy subsidies towards targeted horticultural products
  • A commitment to ending intensified animal farming in order to minimise antibiotic use and improve the quality of life for animals used in farming. 
  • Re-allocation of targeted pastureland to nature restoration
  • Strict prohibition of ecologically harmful pesticides and chemicals 
  • Changes to public sector procurement to centre healthy and delicious UK produced plant-based meals in the NHS, prisons, schools and government facilities. 
  • Advertising ban and increased taxes on meat and dairy and ultra-processed foods 
  • A national food task force to elevate the importance of education on healthy plant-based diets.  
  • To commit to implementing a National Food Strategy and Plant-Based Action Plan that is free from food industry influence and reflective of the current evidence-based nutrition and climate science knowledge. 
  • Updating the Eatwell guide to bring recommendations in line with international guidance such as the Eat Lancet Planetary Health Diet

The Policy promises announced are to be primarily funded by the redeployment of farming subsidies, the application of taxes to harmful foods, and new taxes levied at the super rich. A commitment was also made by the government to place the public at the centre of decision making through the creation of a citizens assembly that will work hand in hand with the government to shape policy. 

Patients and health professionals were also present today, highlighting the health harms of our current food and agriculture policies and the impact of these on their friends, family and patients.

Reaction to today’s announcements: 

“Finally we are seeing the appropriate and urgent action that is required to protect public health from the unfolding threat of the climate and ecological emergency. By ensuring that public health and equity are at the heart of environmental policy, we have a genuine chance of improving societal wellbeing, tackling climate change and protecting the NHS.

Doctors Association UK

“I am both pleased and relieved to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge and commit to transitioning to a plant-based food and farming system. Without diet change we will not be able to meet our climate and nature commitments. The good news is that a plant-based diet would also be hugely beneficial for improving the nation’s health”.

Plant Based Health Professionals

Press contact: e-mail: contact@healthforxr.com

Media links can be found here

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Notes for Editors:

Climate Just Socially vulnerable groups sensitive to climate impacts https://climatejust.org.uk/socially-vulnerable-groups-sensitive-climate-impacts