NFU chairman sets out vision for farming in Garden of England
March 21, 2006
NEW NFU CHAIRMAN SETS OUT VISION FOR FARMING IN GARDEN OF ENGLAND
Kent NFU's new chairman predicts that farmers will soon produce green transport fuels and he outlines measures to help UK agriculture and horticulture.
Arable farmer Chris Older, of Romney Marsh Farms, Chapel Farm, Burmarsh, farms 910 acres on Romney Marsh near Dymchurch and a further 650 acres at Chilham. The business is a family farming partnership that includes his nephew, Andrew Martin.
Chris believes farmers should capitalise on the emerging market for biofuels - Romney Marsh Farms is already home to a SEEDA* project looking at the production of biodiesel using oilseed rape.
He says: "Renewables are going to be an important part of the future for agriculture, particularly in the light of climate change. They will deliver a cheap source of energy for the farm and for society, for people's vehicles, heating and power. The prospects for agriculture do look brighter but there must be a greater spirit of co-operation between the Government, Defra and the farming community in the future."
Following a concerted lobbying campaign by the NFU, the Government has now committed to secure five per cent of fuel sold at UK pumps from a renewable source by 2010. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation will create new markets for commonly grown crops such as oilseed rape, used to produce biodiesel. Wheat, sugar beet and potatoes can be converted into bioethanol. Some of the by-products from biofuels production provide high energy feed for animals.
The NFU is forging partnerships to establish the UK biofuels industry before 2008 when the obligation takes effect. This will ensure Britain can meet domestic demand with home-grown crops.
Chris explains: "The NFU is emphasising that Government strategy must favour home-grown fuels if it's serious about lowering CO2 emissions.UK agriculture can deliver quality food, renewable fuels as well as a cherished environment that contributes to our quality of life.".
The announcement that EU vets have voted to lift the ban on exports of beef and live cattle from the UK is "the best news the beef industry has received for ten years", according to Chris. He says: "Farmers can now begin to regain export markets in Europe - they recognise it will be a slow process. The Government must also rethink its inadequate strategy to tackle bovine TB - this is one of the biggest health problems facing both man and the livestock industry. The NFU continues to press for a package of measures to eradicate this scourge."
Chris welcomes the new OFT investigation into supermarkets and their position in the supply chain. "Supermarkets are the major customers of the agricultural and horticultural industries and ways must be found to ensure that the farmer gets a fairer share of the retail price. We in the NFU intend to attack this from many angles, seeking cooperaton, and not just via the statutory route."
The NFU has successfully persuaded the Home Office to retain the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme until 2010. This scheme allows farmers and growers to bring in workers from overseas on a permit system. From a Kent NFU perspective, Chris is committed to lobbying to retain the scheme for longer. "We will be asking Government to retain the SAWs scheme beyond 2010 as horticulture is so reliant on a seasonal labour force for tasks such as picking and packing. We need an adequate supply of manual labour to complete vegetable, soft and top fruit harvests so consumers can enjoy eating quality, home-grown produce."
Chris is very critical of Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for its mishandling of the introduction of a new farm support system in England. The new single payment should be a simpler system that follows the abolition of production-based subsidies as a result of the EU Common Agricultural Policy being reformed. The new system has been fraught with problems, which relate to an IT/software issue.
"The current disastrous mess that has developed with the Rural Payments Agency and its handling of the introduction of the single payment scheme MUST be resolved with all haste. The NFU continues to work to help affected farmers and to draw attention to this national scandal - it has caused farmers immense anxiety and financial hardship."
High resolution pictures showing Chris with farm machinery are available from NFU SE PR Officer Isobel Bretherton tel: 01730 408002 email isobel.bretherton@nfu.org.uk
Notes To Editors:
Chris Older grows wheat, oilseed rape and oats for human consumption. The wheat he grows includes soft varieties that are exported to France for milling and bread-making. He was elected chairman of Kent NFU by fellow members of the trade association during the winter, officially taking up his post following the NFU's Annual Conference on February 27/28.
