Centre for Rural Economy to Host High-Level Land Use Panel at House of Lords

In April 2026, the Centre for Rural Economy (CRE) will host a panel discussion at the House of Lords, bringing together Peers, MPs, and leading national organisations to address pressing challenges in land use policy.

Sally Shorall, Director of CRE, said:

“Our discussion will focus on changing land use, which we consider a pressing policy issue in light of the recently released Land Use Framework. There are competing pressures on land—from housing and food production to forestry and environmental priorities—and many landowners and farmers are uncertain about how to navigate a future shaped by conflicting policy goals.

Our panel will explore these challenges, followed by what we hope will be a robust and engaging discussion. We are very grateful to Lord Curry of Kirkharle for hosting this event and for his continued support of the Centre for Rural Economy.

We have also produced a booklet that provides a broad overview of our current research. At CRE, we undertake cutting-edge work on the environment, climate change, regenerative agriculture, food systems, and the rural economy. Our aim is to raise awareness of these critical issues and to encourage informed discussion across professional, academic, and policy communities.

This booklet introduces the key research areas that shape our activities. We are encouraged by the strong engagement our research has received from politicians and policymakers. As researchers, we remain committed to rigorous, policy-relevant work that addresses challenges affecting both present and future societies. These include changing land use, regenerative farming, food waste, environmental sustainability, rural economies, and social equality in access to land and housing.

We welcome opportunities to collaborate on research projects, support student placements with farm and food businesses, and invite you to join our lectures and seminars.

We look forward to updating this booklet regularly and to working with partners on innovative, timely, and impactful projects.”

Please see details in the Booklet-CRE Research Overview Booklet April 2026