Kent NFU chairman's New Year message
Kent NFU's chairman believes that agriculture is reaching a turning point and a challenging 2007 lies ahead.
Romney Marsh arable farmer Chris Older hopes that the Government's forthcoming farm income figures may show a small improvement for 2006. However he expresses great concern for milk producers who receive prices below the cost of production, coupled with beef and lamb producers who are not in profit.
He says: "I believe that 2006 has marked a turning point for agriculture and indeed for the NFU. Historic reforms of European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy saw the abolition of production based subsidies in the UK in 2005 and farmers are now reacting to the demands of the world market-place. It's a tough economic climate for us all but there are encouraging signs as food shortages become more frequent."
Mr Older singles out three key developments. "World grain supplies are now tighter which means that the recent rise in wheat prices may be sustained. The Stern report on climate change has identified a need to harness home-grown bioenergy. Kent farmers are particularly well placed to respond to this demand for biofuel, biomass and green energy production. In addition, the NFU is encouraged by Government signals that it recognises the importance of farming both to the country and the countryside." Mr Older emphasises that the NFU will continue to drive home to decision-makers and consumers the importance of farming and growing to society as a whole.
Mr Older says: "The NFU continues to spell out why farming matters. Our representatives have been giving evidence on the Kent Rural Delivery Framework and at the examination in public on the South East Plan, the blueprint for strategic planning policy in the region for the next 20 years. I strongly believe that agriculture is now more important to the whole population than at any time in the past 60 years. It is important to our quality of life, to the quality and security of the UK's food supply, the countryside, the economy and the environment."
He urges consumers to log onto www.whyfarmingmatters.co.uk and to look out for a big feature on Why Farming Matters To Kent at the Kent Show in July 2007.
The burgeoning market for quality, speciality food products, sold through local stores and farmers' markets, remains an important income stream. But ultimately the profitability of mainstream agriculture and horticulture will determine the industry's long term future, says Mr Older.
He continues: "The NFU is committed to helping the industry return to profitability.
Key challenges in 2007 will be reducing red tape to safety net status. We are also determined to make bureaucrats recognise that they will achieve more by working together with farmers than by tax and over regulation. The NFU will continue to help its members unravel the mess that the Rural Payments Agency created over the single payment scheme.
"In addition, we remain committed to helping farmers and growers work together more effectively to achieve efficiency in the supply chain. The NFU is up for the challenges ahead and with a united industry behind us, we can achieve much more in 2007," adds Mr Older.
For details contact Chris Older on tel: 01303 870260/ 07785 232365. A high resolution of Chris Older is available.
Notes To Editors:
Single Payment Scheme Historic reforms of the European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy took effect in 2005 and as a result, production based subsidies were abolished in the UK. English farms now qualify for a single payment only if they meet certain conditions on environmental care, animal welfare, plant and soil health. The Rural Payments Agency, which administers the scheme for Defra, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was late in paying these new farm support payments to farmers and growers for the year 2005. This has caused great anxiety to farm businesses.
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