The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is seeking evidence and views on action to be taken during the 2020s to phase out high carbon fossil fuel heating in off gas grid buildings. This will have implications for farmers using LPG and oil for heating their home as well as agricultural buildings involving a process (eg drying and storage of grain, bulbs or specialist produce like hops) or a form of production for which a high level of background heating is needed (eg intensive poultry or pig production).

Those replacing or installing new heating systems will be impacted first, perhaps as early as 2025, and eventually all high-carbon heating will be phased out.

A combination of policy measures may be required to achieve the Government’s stated aim, while not burdening rural householders, farmers and other businesses with excessive costs - consumer/user information and engagement will be essential. Clearly a choice of clean heat technologies is required to suit every context, and it will take time for the supply chain to adjust to new standards. The NFU's response has been closely aligned with that of the Renewable Energy Association, with whom we collaborate closely on renewable heat policy, as well as the views of FEC Energy, who operate the NFU Farm Energy Service.

NFU members can download the NFU's response here, plus an extra page of supplementary evidence following discussion by NFU Policy Board.