APPENDIX 22
Letter to James Gray MP from Mr Robert
Biggin
I am writing to you as my MP to convey the plight
of British agriculture during the last three years since the "BSE"
crisis and the strengthening of the pound which have each had
a devastating effect on destroying our market.
I feel strongly that with the worst agricultural
depression since the '30s with us that the whole future of the
industry is at stake.
There is absolutely no reinvestment taking place
and although on our own farm it is allowing us to maintain our
work force, how long is it before lack of machinery replacement
and building maintenance plus no improvements taking place makes
the whole business unviable.
On our own family unit we have seen milk prices drop
by 25 per cent, calf prices drop by 50 per cent, beef prices drop
by 25 per cent, cull cow returns halved and cereal prices cut
by 25 per cent and only one thing increasing—the bank overdraft!!
At a time of ever increasing welfare and food production
standards being required on "British" farms, we have
to accept the requirements of the British housewife with her concern
over the food she eats, but yet, with the "free" world
market we also have to accept produce coming in which is not produced
to such standards and without the restraints of quotas which we
have, and without the currency disadvantage which all British
farmers are unable to compete with.
I feel the general moral of farmers and all associated
supply—industries is at or getting to such a low ebb that
the future generations of a strong "family" industry
for decades to come will be jeopardised.
10 June 1999
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