Cornwall Aims to Lead the UK in Sustainable Food and Farming – Here’s How

A bold new 10-year plan has been launched to transform Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly into the UK’s top region for sustainable food and drink.

Unveiled on 24th March, the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Agrifood Strategy and Action Plan lays out a roadmap for turning the region into a green, clean and fair food economy. It marks the first such strategy in over 20 years and is being hailed as a major step forward for an industry that plays a huge role in the region’s economy.

A Powerful Force for Change

The agrifood sector – which includes food, drink, farming and fishing – generates over 10% of Cornwall and Scilly’s total GVA, more than double the national average. It also accounts for one in five jobs and a quarter of all businesses, with 80% of land in the region used for agriculture.

Despite its size, the industry faces mounting pressures including rising costs, subsidy reform, the drive to net zero and a shortage of skilled workers.

Strategy author Ruth Huxley, founder of Cornwall Food and Drink, said:

“Cornwall has long been known for its outstanding food and drink, and this strategy provides a clear plan to build on our strengths while addressing key challenges such as sustainability, skills shortages, and supply chain resilience. By working together as an industry and with government and other stakeholders, we can unlock enormous opportunities and ensure our food and drink sector continues to thrive and set an example for the rest of the UK.”

Innovation Meets Tradition

The strategy is not just about farming and food production. It looks to forge stronger links between agrifood and sectors like tourism, health, education, and even space and renewable energy.

Examples already happening in the region include geothermal energy being used at the Eden Project, and satellite data being deployed to track livestock and measure grass height. The plan also highlights the potential of new technologies like automation, robotics and AI, along with developing non-food products such as plant-based packaging, textiles and pharmaceuticals.

Lord John Hutton, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum, wrote the foreword to the strategy. He said:

“Our ambition is to be the UK’s number one region for sustainable food and drink and this strategy sets out the path ahead if we are to realise this ambition. It is a bold and imaginative strategy which I am sure will command a broad degree of support right across our communities.”

What’s Already Been Done

The strategy comes off the back of a year-long programme called the Great Cornish Food project, run by Cornwall Food and Drink. It was funded with nearly £555,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council.

Over the past year, the project has:

• Provided small grants to local businesses

• Delivered mentoring and support to over 100 food, drink, farming and fishing businesses

• Revived the Great Cornish Food Awards

• Launched the Great Cornish Food Academy, introducing more than 1,500 school children and students to food skills and industry careers

• Held events showcasing Cornish produce

With the strategy now in place, Ruth Huxley added:

“We want to build on what’s already been achieved and find solutions to realise the vast potential of the agrifood sector in Cornwall and Scilly. This is the place to do it, and we can do it by working together.”

You can download the full Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Agrifood Strategy and Action Plan here: https://greatcornishfood.co.uk/4086-2/

📷Show Ruth Huxley at the launch of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Agrifood Strategy and Action Plan at Loveday distillery in Falmouth.