Britain could face a food security crisis as a result of the UK Government's net zero drive, MPs have warned.
A cross-party report says vast solar farm developments could remove up to a quarter of the UK’s farmland from production.
Committee chair George Freeman warned: “We need to support farmers to grow more of our food.
"We’re heading for a situation where we could easily see a very serious food security crisis.”
The UK has already lost 1.8 million acres of farmland in 25 years – a 4.4 per cent decline – contributing to a 12 per cent fall in food output.
Concerns are growing this trend will accelerate as the Government’s solar rollout expands. Renewable energy firms are offering farmers over £1,000 an acre to host panels – around ten times the income from grazing.
A Government spokesman said: “Farming plays a central role in having a productive, profitable and sustainable food system. This Government recognises that food security is national security.”