Written evidence submitted by Rothamsted
Research
SUMMARY
1. RRes supports the three strategic aims
expressed in the CAP reform document (Ref: com2010_0672en01).
Whilst agriculture might be a small part of the GDP of developed
countries the food industry produces ca 25% of the GDP of the
UK and agriculture plays a critical role in ensuring the viability
of that industry.
2. We suggest the aims are slightly rephrased
to say that an effective CAP should allow Europe to maintain the
security of its food production, the livelihood of its rural areas,
and the biodiversity and natural capital upon which we all depend
for our ultimate survival, without damaging the economies and
environments of countries outside Europe. In other words, it must
support the delivery of all Ecosystem Services (as defined in
the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment). We thus favour Policy Option
3.
3. However, to achieve this objectively
and fairly, a scientifically-based valuation of ecosystem services
and natural capital that agriculture produces is essential, so
that these can be properly supported by the policy.
4. We agree that a sustainable agricultural
system must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and believe that
UK agriculture can both mitigate against climate change and adapt
to it. However, research, knowledge transfer and trained people
are essential to develop and to deliver these evaluations and
an effective agricultural policy that facilitates the "Sustainable
Intensification" that the Royal Society has identified as
essential for a growing world population (see Royal Society report
"Reaping the Benefits"). Any reformed CAP should be
empowered to allocate a substantial budget to R&D; we believe
this would enhance the credibility of the CAP, which has had a
poor image for some time.
5. In the UK, level funding for science
in the current Spending Review and inflation will result in a
significant decrease in the value of science funding. In the UK
and at RRes the poor status of agricultural research for some
twenty years or more means we face the loss of key staff and expertise
that is essential to continue the research that underpins sustainable
agriculture. Implementation of an objective and fair CAP requires
R&D on sustainable farming, climate change and bioenergy production
whilst meeting our food security needs. In this context, the
CAP needs to take an informed view of the increasing conflict
between food and fuel (i.e. the use of land for bioenergy).
6. The challenge of producing more food
with fewer inputs and impacts should not be underestimated. Much
research is needed to make it possible. There also needs to be
a realisation that not all ecosystem services can be delivered
everywhere they are needed. For example, wetland ecosystems are
not easily interchangeable with florally diverse hay meadows or
productive arable fields. We are developing methods to optimise
ecosystem services, with a full understanding of the sustainability
of any system.
How will the Commission's proposals affect the
ability of UK agriculture to be competitive in a global market?
7. The aim to preserve food security and
to meet growing food production targets by 2050 will require use
of all available technologies to boost and protect crop production.
The current restrictions on agrochemicals (Directive 91/414),
GM technology, and regulatory/registration constraints on alternative
approaches (e.g. biological agents), will inevitably limit the
options for future crop improvement and protection.
8. There is an emphasis on the environment
and green growth. Recent studies have shown that relatively simple
measures might resolve the perceived conflict between intensive
production and effective ecosystem services. Unsprayed headlands,
green corridors and a modest mosaic of habitats within intensively
farmed systems can do much to reverse the decrease in diversity.
Even predators at the apex of the food chain (such as Barn owls)
can thrive in such systems. Intelligent management of farmland
informed by research can simultaneously achieve production and
biodiversity goals.
9. The reform document emphasizes competition
on the world market. The EU cannot compete with one arm tied behind
its back (over-regulation, technology restrictions, loss of agrochemicals
etc). The pressing needs of global food security will, eventually,
expose the short-sightedness of these policies.
Do the proposals ensure fair competition for British
agricultural products within the European Union?
10. Farming is the foundation of the food supply
chain, and any further erosion in the value of primary production
will place the whole edifice at risk. Recent increases in the
value of commodities will not solve this problem. A more stable
and equitable distribution of value (income) across the chain
is essential.
11. Volatility in yield and quality, and not
just in price, threaten sustainability and UK production. RRes
is pursuing research that aims to reduce volatility, ie the variation
of food quantity and quality, and so ensure sustainability.
Will the proposals achieve the correct balance
between productivity and sustainability?
12. The Royal Society Report "Reaping the
Benefits" argued quite strongly, based on very good scientific
evidence, that the way forward on a global agriculture basis was
a concept of "Sustainable Intensification," which must
be based on sound, independent research.
13. Photosynthesis is one of the fundamental
aspects of plant productivity. Photosynthesis research is an area
where we believe that we can intensify production by increasing
the capability of crops to fix CO2 and turn it into
useful food products.
14. We are going to face a challenge with nutrients
and water availability. Many of the nutrients that we apply to
plants are in short supply. Every time we apply phosphate to
the soil in effect it is lost and costs a lot of energy to recoup
it. Consequently, we need to make plants more efficient in the
use of nutrients; otherwise we will have a crisis on our hands
20 or 30 years from now, when the cost of the inputs to maintain
agriculture will be extremely high.
15. Soil science is an area that has been neglected.
Soil erosion, inappropriate agricultural practices and factors
such as climate change has caused global reduction in available
arable land. Soil quality is fundamental to any agricultural productivity;
soil can become depleted soil due to overproduction in only five
years, but it can take 25 years to recover. Soil science is going
to be a very important part of our ongoing research.
16. Direct payments now earmarked for pillar
2 of CAP to support the environment, animal welfare, food quality
and safety and improvements to agricultural production. RRes and
other BBSRC sponsored institutes have scientific expertise in
these areas and are well-placed to address these issues in the
UK, providing solutions that could also be applied across the
EU.
17. CAP reform could ensure that the paybacks
that go to farmers are based upon the introduction of innovative
approaches to reduce carbon footprints or benefit biodiversity
per unit of production. Probably 16-17% of the world's greenhouse
gases are the result of agricultural practice, including methane
from livestock and nitrous oxide from fertiliser applications.
Industry is eligible for carbon credits in return for positive
steps taken to reduce carbon footprints and through CAP this should
be extended to farmers, promoting sustainability.
18. The demand for biofuels has triggered an
increase in the price of commodities in the EU and as a result
some farmers have shifted to biofuel production to improve their
income. This has sparked a "food versus fuel" debate.
The Gallagher review concluded that feedstock production should
avoid land that would otherwise be used for food production. Scientists
at RRes are investigating second generation biofuels from willow
and miscanthus, which can be grown on marginal land, require reduced
inputs and do not compete with food production.
Do the proposals place the UK in a good position
to help meet future food supply challenges?
19. The disjunction between restrictive regulation
in the EU and the lack of resources for agricultural research
and innovation is probably the biggest threat to the long-term
viability and competitiveness of EU agriculture. As we have seen
for the last 12 years, the EU regulatory framework on GM technology
has resulted in a loss of billions of euros in investment in research
and innovation, much of which has moved to the USA and elsewhere
(Syngenta, BASF, and Monsanto). This has inevitably caused a loss
of highly-skilled personnel from Europe to the US and Canada.
Most importantly, European agriculture is still dependent on 20th
century methods of agricultural cultivation with stagnant or declining
yields, while many parts of the world are enjoying a renaissance
in agricultural production and improved farm ecosystems due to
no-till agriculture and massive reductions in pesticide use.
The international adoption of various GM technologies
is summarized in the following document: http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/41/executivesummary/default.asp
As the EU moves towards tighter regulation of agricultural
chemicals, there has been no counter-initiative to expand research
which will find substitute agricultural methods for those which
will be lost. This systemic inconsistency between regulation and
investment in innovation is the most serious threat to sustainability
and competitiveness of EU-based agriculture.
Selected links to RRes research that has a direct
impact on UK agriculture:
The Environmental Change Network
- http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/aen/ecn/
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?Centre=SEF&ProjectID=5999
- Disease forecasts
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/Content.php?Section=Leafspot
- The insect survey
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/insect-survey/
- Water use efficiency
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?Centre=CGI&ProjectID=5047
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?Centre=CGI&ProjectID=4875
- Nutrient Use efficiency
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?Centre=CGI&ProjectID=4955
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/aen/nut_dyn/nutdyn.htm
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?Centre=SEF&ProjectID=4967
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/cpi/men/mh1-opt-cer.html
- Soil research
http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?ProjectID=9970
- The Wheat genetic improvement network (WGIN)
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?Centre=PDM&ProjectID=5041
http://www.wgin.org.uk/
- The Oilseed Rape genetic improvement network
(OREGIN)
http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/ProjectDetails.php?Centre=BCC&ProjectID=4607
http://www.oregin.info/
December 2010
| 
