This column is written by Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the South West of England.

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that the way land is currently managed is ‘catastrophic’ for the climate and calls for radical changes to methods of food production and consumption.

The world’s leading climate scientists call for a move away from large-scale industrial agriculture, eliminating food waste, ending deforestation, restoring damaged ecosystems and reducing meat consumption.

As an important farming region, the South West is well placed to respond.

Agriculture can be part of the solution to climate breakdown rather than being part of the problem. Through a rapid transition towards organic farming agro-forestry, the South West – which is already a leader in successful small-scale farming – could lead a climate-friendly farming revolution.

Some land will need to be converted to the growing of protein crops, though we must acknowledge the South West is a leading livestock and dairy region. So we need to ensure that these sectors focus on high quality meat and dairy products and farming methods that protect soils and ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.

But we must go further and find ways to recapture some of the emissions already in the atmosphere. The land has an extraordinary capacity to absorb and hold carbon and the South West has areas that could be rewilded with extensive tree cover and where peatlands could be restored. Good quality soils and grazing land can also act as a carbon sink.

But all this could be academic. The mob currently in power are determined to crash us out of the EU on October 31 and will sacrifice everything at the altar of new trade deals. Food safety standards, consumer protections, animal welfare standards will all be ditched if it means securing a trade deal with the US.

This will leave our farmers concerned not so much with tackling our climate emergency but with survival against an onslaught from cheap imports.

It is clear that to protect our farmers – and our climate – we should look to vote for candidates fully committed to revoking Article 50 in the event of a snap general election.

The most important market for farmers by far is the one closest to home.

The EU also ensures the highest environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards anywhere in the world.