Friday Jul 19, 2024

#356 - Chris Smaje - British Farming Is Broken: Here's How We Fix It!

In this episode, host Josh Hamilton is joined by Chris Smaje, an author and small farm owner, to discuss a revolutionary shift in our food systems. Chris sheds light on the urgent need to move from volume-focused food production to more sustainable, local, and agroecological methods. He challenges the demonization of farmers and offshoring of food production, urging for government policies that balance environmental concerns with the necessities of food production.

We cover a wide array of critical topics, from the historical changes in the UK's food self-sufficiency to the overproduction of global commodity crops and their impact on local agriculture. Chris advocates for supporting local food systems, fair compensation for farmers, and the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels. He also touches on the environmental and social consequences of industrial farming and the monopoly of big supermarkets.

https://chrissmaje.com/

https://x.com/csmaje

Timestamps

00:00 Intro and Ads

04:12 Climate change, energy, biodiversity loss, farming, relocalization.

09:53 Questioning amount of food produced and imported.

13:43 Encouraging local, diverse farming for healthier diets.

17:55 Wales agriculture shift from local to global.

21:31 Shift from high-volume farming to local sustainability.

22:59 Questioning trends in farming and food sourcing.

28:42 Free trade impact on food system and sustainability.

30:13 Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.