Farming is an important land use in the National Park and will continue to be so in the future. A significant area of the National Park is farmed and, to achieve our net zero and biodiversity targets, we need to prioritise activity that reduces farming’s carbon footprint, enhances species diversity, helps local food production and builds resilience through joining up habitats and ecosystems. The transition to a low carbon future, delivering a sustainable, productive and profitable agricultural sector, is a key part of the future of the National Park and is part of a just transition.

Rural payments drive much of the farming activity in the National Park. These payments are changing and can support farmers taking an integrated approach to managing their land, delivering a range of public benefits (from carbon reduction to flood mitigation) in return for public support.

As part of this change, we are establishing a Regional Land Use Partnership and Framework for the National Park, which will help national and local government, communities, landowners and stakeholders work together to reach net zero and find ways to ensure a wide range of people are involved in and benefit from land use decisions.