Memorandum submitted by "The Commercial
Farmers Group"[2]
The Commercial Farmers Group is concerned that
Defra Science policy is not in tune with the major issue of the
growing imbalance of global food supply and demand. This is due
to population growth, increased demand for animal products in
emerging economies, increased use of crops for biofuels and compounded
by the damaging impacts of climate change. Against this global
background we consider that food security should be seen alongside
energy security, water security and environmental security as
being of prime importance to the UK, and a competitive UK agriculture
can make a significant contribution to all.
One of Defra's principal objectives is "to
promote a competitive and efficient farming and food sector….",[3]
but Defra Science does little to satisfy this objective. Whilst
it is claimed that the current Sustainable Farming and Food Science
Programme is "based around Defra's strategic priorities",
there is no mention of the competitiveness and efficiency of UK
agriculture in any of its "five broad scientific areas".
We consider that the lack of support by Defra
Science for the need to increase competitiveness and efficiency
has not only contributed to the UK agricultural industry falling
behind other countries in competitiveness, but also to the demise
of the agricultural R&D infrastructure and applied science
expertise in the UK. Whilst the infrastructure can be reinstated
with appropriate investment, re-establishing the lost expertise
of those involved with "science into practice" will
take much longer. We are now down to only a handful of scientists
in many applied agricultural science areas (soil science, weed
science etc), and there is a lack of career structure in universities
and research institutes to attract new blood.
The Defra LINK Programme is a successful example
of collaborative research between government and the agricultural
industry. We are therefore concerned that it is currently under
review, and the indications that if it does continue it will no
longer be under the control of Defra. This appears to be a further
indication of the lack of enthusiasm of Defra to be involved in
the competitive development of the agricultural industry.
Reductions and withdrawals from funding by Defra
for a number of internationally-recognised research institutes
continues to undermine their capability and sustainability. It
also results in those remaining placing even more emphasis on
basic science at the expense of applied science. The loss of applied
R&D capability as a result of Defra reductions in funding
has damaged the ability to innovate at the applied agricultural
science level and this is probably one of the main factors explaining
the poor growth of competitiveness by the industry.
We consider EFRA should examine:
— Defra Science policy in relation to its
support for a competitive agriculture.
— The lack of a joined-up approach between
Defra and DIUS on R&D policy and funding for this key industry.
— The role of Defra Science policy in overcoming
the dysfunctional state of the agricultural R&D chain.
March 2008
2 The Commercial Farmers Group is a group of farmers
and academics supporting the competitive development of the UK
agricultural industry. Back
3
The Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. Facing the future.
(2002). http://www.defra.gov.uk Back
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