Memorandum submitted by Mrs Jane Hadley
(X3)
I welcome the Minister's plans to support a
broader rural economy, and his aims to "offer farmers constructive
help to enhance and diversify their businesses in response to
changing market circumstances" is positive. He also states
that he wishes to "advance environmentally beneficial farming
practices, to modernise and restructure their farming industries
and to support off-farm rural development".
I briefly set out points that I should like
the Committee to consider in light of the above:
TARGETED AREAS
"We have given priority to involving our
English regional partners and the plan will include a separate
section for each region setting out locally identified priorities".
I would encourage the Minister to rethink this statement. A diverse
agriculture will be gained if funding is available nationally,
not in specific areas (ie 5b) and certainly not linked to existing
unemployment criteria. In my opinion, specific targeted area funding
could create saturated diversity in some areas, and little in
another which would not be beneficial long term.
MODULATION
Personally I completely agree with this suggestion,
which will be co-financed by Government match funding.
COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP
SCHEME ALLOCATION,
£500 MILLION
Our farm has been accepted into this Scheme
this year. May I suggest that the new Scheme is far more flexible,
and indeed existing Scheme members be given the opportunity to
transfer to such a Scheme if merited. My comments would be that
with the existing Scheme:
— It starts too late in the year ie
October which means that some work cannot be started until the
following year, due to the harvest/drilling dates. Suggest: Commencement
date 1 August;
— The existing Scheme runs for 10 years.
In the application, from which the Agreement is generated, details
are required of all work during that period. To calculate the
number of rabbit guards required in year 6, and other such assumptions
is rather tedious. We had three visits from the Ministry, followed
by five months of waiting, until we knew if our application had
been successful. Suggest: Once a farm has been accepted on the
Scheme, the overall plan is reviewed every two to three years
and budgets for work completed at that stage, which would add
flexibility.
May I suggest that comments are welcomed from
bodies such as The Wildlife Trust on ways of enhancing this Scheme.
ORGANIC FARM
CONVERSION, £140 MILLION
I enclose a cutting written by Jonathon Porritt
and also an article from The Evening Standard [not printed].
It is apparent that Organic Farming is a growth market, and one
unfortunately we are losing. The amount of imported organic produce
is evident in any supermarket, with carrots from Holland or even
Australia! Unfortunately therefore, the public are in effect supporting
the environmental practices of other countries, whose standards
may not always be as strict as ours anyway!
It is true that farmers are slow to react to
change, but there is a demand for organic farm conversion funding
which should be met at an early stage. The organic transition
period is two years, therefore may I suggest that recommendations
are sought from organisations such as the Soil Association, as
to the level of funding required in the next two years, in order
to speed up this Country's ability to take advantage of the growing
demand in this sector.
Following on from this, the Supermarkets and
public must understand that successful organic farming requires
greater attention to detail. In a livestock enterprise this undoubtedly
will generate more employment, which can only be justified if
the farmer receives a sufficient return. The whole concept will
fail if "price wars" commence—this point must
be stressed.
MARKETING AND
PROCESSING OF
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS,
£40 MILLION(a) Nationally
I enclose two current adverts for your information,
one is an Irish product, the other from New Zealand [not printed].
Both show rolling hills and pleasant countryside. This is the
perception that the housewife gains of these products. She has
to gain the same perception and understanding of why she is buying
British products, how our animals are reared and crops grown.
The anticipated creation of a specific British Quality logo should
help to endorse this, as to the much needed revision in food labelling
to show the country of origin.
Nationally, we need an Agricultural PR agency
to present an "up to date" picture of the Industry.
The public, from children to teachers, caterers to health visitors
all need to understand just how our food is grown. This is the
first link in the Food Chain, and from attending food hygiene
courses recently, I spent half an hour educating my tutor on agricultural
practices!
Agriculture needs a fun web site for children,
it needs bringing into the 21st Century, but it has no immediate
"arm" with which to do it that has sufficient funding.
Food from Britain?
(b) Individually
Funding to assist with marketing skills and
awareness is positive, which could possibly fall under the umbrella
of regional framework of a national scheme, mentioned above. Funding
should be made available to existing businesses as well as new
ventures to encourage expansion/opportunities. Export assistance,
IT marketing awareness etc, should all be encompassed by such
funding.
Another important point is Product Development
and Technical Information/Research. Thought should be given to
assist small producers to develop their products further, and
a suitable site found within one of the Country's universities
or food research departments for this purpose. Future success
will be achieved if ideas continue to be generated, but small
businesses may not be able to invest in this area. Undoubtedly
they will require professional help initially, and too as they
grow. Such funding to access assistance should be available to
new and existing businesses.
IMPROVEMENT OF
SKILLS RELATING
TO ENVIRONMENTAL
LAND MANAGEMENT/DIVERSIFICATION,
£22 MILLION
Whilst welcoming this approach, may I suggest
that any such training or courses are provided in a cost efficient
way. I say this, being a member of a committee that has been alarmed
at charges placed by a local agricultural college to organise
two meetings.
Many farmers will benifit from furthering their
knowledge, and indeed IT skills and associated Food Chain awareness
are important in this area too. However, for this funding to be
put to good use, I hope that administration will not be excessive,
that value for money, relevant and specific course content are
given priority.
13 January 2000
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