Defra, UK - About Defra - Ministers' speeches: Bullet point outline for speech by Jeff Rooker at the 50th anniversary lunch of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, House of Lords, London, Wednesday 18 April 2007

Farming crucial to our lives – feeds us, protects our landscapes, provides employment, supports rural economies, is in the front line in terms of providing environmental public goods and taking action on climate change.
Believe farming has a bright future. But that future can’t be achieved by standing still. Farming needs to change with a changing world.
Govt often talks about farmers and consumers connecting – with each other, with the countryside, with the environment.
By 2020, we believe UK farming will:

(i) be profitable in the marketplace, continuing to produce the majority of the food we consume.

(ii) make a positive net environmental contribution.

(iii) manage the landscape and the natural assets that underlie it.

You (BIAC) are in key position to help achieve this. You have the ear of farmers, land managers etc….

Agriculture crucial to tackling / dealing with climate change – reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts.
Vital you (BIAC) continue advising farmers, land managers, policy makers, how to mitigate climate change and reduce the environmental footprint of farming.

You can raise awareness and give advice about adapting to the changing climate – the challenges and the opportunities [Challenges – increased pressure on water availability, increased risk of pests and diseases and increased risk of heat stress in animals. Opportunities – longer growing seasons, new markets, and the potential for biocrops].

Govt has ongoing programme of research into agriculture and climate change [around £5.6m in 2007/8]. (e.g. we’ve recently commissioned a large project [£750k] to look at the reduction of methane and nitrogen emissions from ruminants through nutrition). But findings will mean nothing if they don’t lead to change on the ground. Government needs to work closely with you and industry to achieve this.
Already working with the Rural Climate Change Forum to look at how best to ensure that farmers have the information and advice they need in order to turn research results into practical action.
Recognise that we need to provide incentives to encourage changes in practice - to promote environmental sustainability [e.g. Environmental Stewardship, grant schemes (to encourage biocrops), and assurance schemes.]
Also looking at whether it’s feasible to develop a mechanism to allow trading of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry and land management, for which new Climate Change Bill would provide the necessary enabling powers.

Change not just necessary for environmental reasons – can make good business sense, increasing farm incomes and providing stability for the business. [FACTS: 50% of farm businesses have diversified activities. For 56% of these, diversified income accounts for a quarter or more of the total farm income. For 28% of diversified farm businesses, the estimated income from diversification exceeds the income from the rest of the farm business - Farm Business Survey.]
Want to make the diversification process easy as possible for farmers. Want to tackle the barriers that stand in its way.
Govt’s “Barriers to Diversification Working Group” just produced a report for Ministers. Identifies planning issues and business skills as key barriers to farmers who want to diversify. Will be taking a close look at its recommendations.
Know BIAC has an interest in farm diversification, particularly planning. [ran a conference on farm diversification and planning last October].

Change not just a domestic issue – is also an international issue.
Now’s the time for consultants and farmers to give their views to the European Commission on the CAP Healthcheck. EC will be publishing an options paper in July.
Govt will be consulting on the paper, but this is your chance to lobby the commission before they put pen to paper.
So far EC has said Healthcheck will look at: export refunds/intervention; simplification; modulation; maize/cereals; dairy quotas; thresholds; capping; set-aside; and risk management.
We must encourage Commission to be ambitious and make necessary changes: to provide more freedom to farm, less bureaucracy and less market distortion, whilst providing level playing field across EU.

Important area where Govt can improve how it communicates and work with its customers is the RPA (Single Payment Scheme).
Significant problems with SPS implementation. Gutted by the effect this has had on farmers and the wider farming industry.
Key objective is to improve RPA performance in terms of timing and accuracy of payments and, generally, improving customers’ experience of dealing with the Agency.
RPA working hard to make things better – in particular, focusing on how it works with its customers. Key change has been to reintroduce a more customer-focused approach to dealing with SPS queries. [e.g. customers now have a personal Agency contact to deal with SPS issues].
These changes are helping get money out quicker. [FACTS: over £1bn (70% of fund) of SPS 2006 payments already paid]
Long, challenging road ahead but determined to make sure we deliver a stable and reliable payment system in the years ahead. Grateful for the BIAC's role in our technical stakeholder group meetings.

Good communications not just about speaking to farming industry. About speaking to consumers and public - encouraging them to support change and understand why change is need in the countryside.
Year of Food and Farming will reconnect young people with food, farming and the countryside. Will run from September 2007 - July 2008. Range of learning opportunities planned including farm visits, lesson packs, educational tools, and activities with food retailers and restaurants. The Year presents opportunities for farming and food businesses to participate. Ask consultants to encourage their clients to get involved.

Industry led initiative to encourage new entrants into farming. Since June 2006 several Fresh Start Academies have opened across the country offering a one year training course covering aspects of farm business management.
Consultants and land agents already involved and helping identify business opportunities for potential young farmers. [e.g. the Sussex, Kent and Hampshire Academies are being co-ordinated by Douglas Jackson, from the Burgess Hill office of agricultural consultants Laurence Gould, funded by SEEDA.]

Change needed, not an option.
We all have a responsibility to help farmers change.
Crucial we work hard together and listen to each other - it’s the only way to guarantee country, farmers, industry, consumers and the environment will be winners in future.

Page published: 18 April 2007

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