Hilary Benn calls for collaboration for a sustainable farming future
Hilary Benn has emphasised the importance of protecting our environment while securing a profitable and competitive future for English farming.
Speaking at the opening of the Farming for the Future conference in London on 19 November, he urged farmers, environmentalists and others to work with Government to tackle climate change and protect the nation’s natural assets
The vision he outlined called for a new level of collaboration to achieve this sustainable future. He explained how he wants to see an industry that earns its way because of the quality, safety, and environmental and animal welfare standards of the food and other products it makes, and that is profitable and competitive domestically and internationally.
NFU President Peter Kendall said:
“This has been an unprecedented year for agriculture with rapidly rising commodity prices in some sectors and extreme weather conditions, compounded by three diseases which have had a devastating effect on the livestock industry.
“This has highlighted more than ever the vulnerability of our agricultural supply. Our challenge is to maintain and increase agricultural production while lightening our environmental footprint.”
The Secretary of State also welcomed the work of the Rural Climate Change Forum and the Farming Futures project to improve communications with farmers and managers about climate change. He announced that Defra will provide up to a quarter of a million pounds to Farming Futures between now and March 2009, subject to the existing or new partners also finding resources to contribute.
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Page published: 20 November 2007