Seen on BBC online (here):

Benn unveils plan to boost UK food and 'grow your own'

'We need to get emissions down from agriculture'
Plans to boost food production in Britain and reduce its impact on the environment have been unveiled.

The government's 20-year food strategy includes making land available for people to grow their own food and more healthy cooking courses.

Minister Hilary Benn said shoppers had led the push for free-range eggs and could do the same for sustainable food.

The Tories said ministers "belatedly" recognised the need for food security after a decade of declining production.

Environment Secretary Mr Benn unveiled the government's Food 2030 plan at the Oxford Farming Conference and said a rising population and climate change meant food could not be taken for granted.

Smaller portions

The document includes proposals for a "healthy food code of conduct" to help people choose what food to buy - ideas include clearer labelling, smaller portions for "energy dense" or high salt foods, reducing fat and sugar in foods and nutrition information on restaurant menus.

The government also wants less food waste, more food bought in season to reduce environmental impact and to encourage people to buy sustainably-farmed food.

It says it will pilot healthy cooking classes for "at risk" families as part of efforts to tackle obesity and will help local landowners and community groups work together to make land available temporarily, to grow food.

It would also look into a community "land bank" to act as a broker between land-holders and community groups who want somewhere to grow food.

Mr Benn said the expansion of fair trade and free-range food illustrated how shoppers could drive trends in food production - and he hoped they could do the same for sustainable, locally-grown products.

"A decade ago, only 16% of eggs produced in the UK were free range. In the last 10 years that's more than doubled to just under 40%. Waitrose, M&S and the Co-op now sell only free range or organic eggs," he said.

"And with the UK 80% self-sufficient in free-range eggs this is a great example of how our farmers have responded to what consumers want, to the benefit of both."

There are a lot of messages in this. The EU is ahead of us in championing sustainability - why? Their energy is more expensive, perhaps due to high taxes or lower subsidies. So they prefer smaller cars. Now, food in the UK is in transition. Local is in! Cool.

What is it going to take for us to realize Nature's bounty is for all to share? Maybe it's time to set aside some fertile ground for nesting Humans to raise food on!