Waitrose is committing in its support to its British farmers as they move to nature-friendly farming practices, helping to boost financial resilience of farms in the long-term and combat the effects of climate change.

Unveiling the plans to its British farmers at the Waitrose farm in Hampshire, the Leckford Estate where Waitrose has been farming regeneratively since 2020, executive director James Bailey committed the supermarket to play its part revolutionising the British food system.

In his speech to farmers, James Bailey announced that Waitrose will work with them to produce food that works in harmony with nature, to source meat, milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables from UK farms which use regenerative practices by 2035.

In turn, Waitrose will develop plans for our British farmers to access affordable finance and provide a market for regeneratively produced food in Waitrose shops and online.

Key parts of the plan include collaborations with LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), and the University of Reading, and will involve setting up eight satellite farms in the UK on a three-year programme representing a range of farming sectors including beef, dairy, pig, poultry, top and soft fruit, root vegetables and glasshouse. The aim will be to produce best practice guidance that has been tested and shared more widely in supply chains, making it easier for farmers to know what really works and the impact changes could have and what they might cost.

Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that focuses on improving the health of the soil and the environment, making it healthier and more productive. It helps tackle issues such as top-soil erosion, the loss of the most fertile layer of soil, which is being accelerated by some farming methods and can make it harder to grow crops. This, among other concerns, is why change is needed now to ensure food security in the future.

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