Speech by The Rt Hon Jeff Rooker at the NFU/RSPB conference "Celebrations and Challenges: a new future for farming" at the Royal Geographical Society, London - 18 July 2006
I am delighted to be speaking at this important conference this morning. To my knowledge this is the first time that two of the biggest environmental and farming organisations have co-hosted an event of this type. I would like to point out that what I say today relates to England, rather than the UK.
I would also like to take the opportunity to make an offer I have made before. If anyone can write to me with any unnecessary regulation that we have in place in England, something we are doing that we do not need to do, I will look into it.
The RSPB and NFU have long been partners in influencing future agenda for farming. This shows a joined up approach – which sends a strong message that in setting the future direction of farming in this country, the path to economic prosperity and environmental responsibility are inextricably linked.
That was very much the premise contained first in Sir Don’s Policy Commission report, and later in the Government’s Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy published in 2002.
I am pleased to say that both RSPB and NFU have been instrumental in driving forward this shared vision under Don’s leadership: Graham Wynne was a member of the original Policy Commission, while Graham and Richard MacDonald were members of the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy Implementation Group.
The principles contained in the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy remain at the heart of the Government’s approach: reconnecting farmers with their markets; seeking further fundamental reform of the CAP; strengthening links in the food chain; enhancing the positive impacts of farm practices whilst meeting specific environmental challenges; and, addressing the wider impacts of farming and food production, including the impact on climate change, on rural economies and communities, on animal health and welfare and on the nation’s health.
These principles laid the foundation for the vision David Miliband set out earlier this month at the Royal Show – a vision of “one planet farming” in which he stressed the importance of learning to live within the limits of our natural resources, minimising the impact on the environment of our patterns of food production and consumption, and in which farming is appropriately rewarded by society for the contribution it can make to managing the natural environment.
I am always asking the question when I visit shows such as the Royal show, who is signing up to join the industry. I visit the collage stands to see and I can see that people are still signing up. There is a future.
Farming is clearly on the front-line of the environmental challenges we face, including climate change. Nothing can be more fundamental to the long-term success of farm businesses than the sustainable management of the land and the resources they depend upon.
SFFS: Forward Look
We are publishing this morning a Forward Look of the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy, on the website, together with supporting economic and statistical analyses and the set of headline and core indicators that has been developed as part of the process of monitoring and evaluating progress under the Strategy since its inception. This is not a consultation document, but we welcome comments.
The Forward Look represents the current state of play in delivering the vision for “one planet farming”. It sets out key areas that will now need to be taken forward. And in doing so it defines more clearly the path ahead under five priority themes: succeeding in the market; improving the environmental performance of farming; sustainable consumption and production; climate change and agriculture and animal health and welfare. Before the recess we will also be producing statistics on food miles, and these make interesting reading.
This Forward Look is not the end of the story, It is designed to chart the next steps that we will need to take in the process of delivering our shared priorities for farming and food under the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.
The title of this conference “Celebrations and Challenges” is particularly apt. A great deal has already been accomplished which it is right to celebrate. Those not involved in the industry don’t realise how much has changed. Farmers have been coping with change for a long time in key areas:
- the decoupling of direct payments under the CAP, and the delivery of a base level of environmental, public and animal health and welfare standards for all farms through cross-compliance;
- the establishment of Environmental Stewardship, the key tool to deliver more environmentally responsible farming practices, which will remain at the forefront of the new Rural Development Programme for England from 2007;
- the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy;
- the Farm Regulation and Charging Strategy, supported by the Whole Farm Approach;
- the Biomass Task Force Report and the Government’s response, which must be done carefully.
While farming remains a major focus, the Forward Look, like the Strategy itself, goes much wider to encompass the considerable environmental foot-print of food consumption in this country. Reducing these environmental impacts throughout the food consumption and production chain, from primary production, transportation, processing and retailing to final consumption, is crucial. We, as consumers, also have a vital role to play – and the increasing demand for high quality, seasonal, organic or locally sourced produce presents a real opportunity for our own farmers and growers. However there is also a demand for all food, all year round, which cannot therefore be sourced locally.
Here the Government has a real opportunity to lead by example. Food procured by the public sector – for our schools, hospitals, prisons – is worth around £2 billion in England. MOD are also involved here and now source much more of their meat locally. We are already helping farmers and growers develop the capabilities and capacity to meet the public sector’s requirements under the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative. But we need to do more to encourage all public bodies to embrace sustainable procurement principles – marrying better nutrition and sustainability with the need to achieve value for money.
In his speech at the Royal Show, David Miliband talked of four key building blocks that underpin a sustainable future for farming. The first was for Government to set a clear long term policy framework in return for clear commitments from the industry about embarking on transformational change.
CAP Vision
The evolution of the CAP has taken some major steps in the right direction since 2003 but it still lacks a clear and justifiable long term goal. There are discussions on this taking place at the EU level. Our vision for the CAP offers one: to underpin a European farming industry which is profitable and competitive in its own right, is more sustainable and rewarded for delivering genuine public benefits and gives the developing world a fair chance to compete.
RDPE
The second building block is that change and reform must be backed by investment.
We are committed to ensuring we have a joined-up Rural Development Programme, that strengthens the positive links between a high quality environment and sustainable prosperity, recognising the value of environmental assets to the wider health of the rural economy.
Farmers have a key role as stewards of the countryside that we all enjoy, and Environmental Stewardship will continue to be at the heart of the next Rural Development Programme. Our commitment to Entry Level Stewardship as a scheme open to all has not changed.
People need to understand that our countryside is man made. Therefore we need to look after it and there is no shame in being paid a fee in order to do this.
I recognise the importance you attach to the future funding of the Programme. So do I. As you know, we are in discussions on this package within Government and with the European Commission.
The uplands have significant biodiversity and landscape values, and form an important part of our natural heritage. We recognise the crucial role that hill farmers play in shaping this landscape - but also appreciate the fragile status of hill farming. Government has been clear about our intention to move away from compensatory payments and towards paying hill farmers for the environmental benefits they provide. We expect to announce the long term future of the uplands reward structure later this year, but in the mean time, we are continuing the existing Hill Farm Allowance for 2007.
SFFS Delivery
Clearly, some very important decisions remain. It is equally clear that we can only achieve the shared goals we set out in the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy through a constructive and open relationship with our delivery partners. Defra can’t do it alone.
The broad remit of the Strategy means that its successful delivery hinges on effective partnership working at a national, regional and local level. Of course, key players are central and regional government and its agencies, and those involved in the farming and food sector itself.
But in all of this we must keep in mind the relationship of farming with the wider community. There are also crucial roles to be played by others including local authorities and the third sector - not for profit organisations and social enterprises make key contributions.
I very much hope that this Forward Look of the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy will help to strengthen the commitment of all those engaged in the delivery of this important agenda, and catalyse the action so critically needed. Feel free to comment, we are listening.
Page published: 19 July 2006