February 2010 Archives

Concerns about the threat from imports of eggs from hens kept in conventional cages were very much in evidence at this week's NFU annual conference.

The fear is that, with the UK well on the way to complying with the EU regulation that will ban conventional cages from 1 January 2012, other member states are dragging their feet.

Poland in particular, where just 100 of the country's 600 commercial units have started to replace their conventional cages with new enriched ones, is already seeking a five-year extension to the new rule. And it is likely that other new member states will soon join them in demanding similar exemptions.

NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns told delegates this week that over 100m hens are likely to still be in conventional cages in Europe in 2012, giving those producers a massive cost advantage...

Assemble a bunch of farmers and a bunch of politicians in a room together, and don't expect to find a whole lot of positivity.

That was certainly the case in the morning "political" session at the NFU's annual conference on Tuesday. Despite valiant attempts by president Peter Kendall to remain upbeat, it was not long before the delegates started castigating the invited MPs for their manifold failings.

From badgers, Brussels and battery cages, to red tape, retailers and the RPA, many of the industry's usual gripes got a good airing. One group of farmers from the south-west even stood to attention during DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn's speech, wearing black armbands with TB written on them, in protest at the government's policy on animal health.

It was therefore refreshing to move on to the afternoon "business" session of the conference where some much more positive messages were in evidence...

Columnist David Richardson has been waxing lyrical in this week's Farmers Weekly about the joys of February conferences - and the "chance for malice-free mickey-taking" that they present.

They are very much part of farming life, he explains, and a crucial opportunity to catch up on recent developments, exchange business ideas and, of course, engage in a spot of banter with kindred spirits.

As agricultural journalists we go to our fair share of conferences too.

Unfortunately for us, they are usually more about work than pleasure and its pretty much "heads down", capturing those words of wisdom and then deciding how best to present them for a multi-media audience.

My recent trip to the Sentry Conference at Chilford Hall, Cambs was a case in point, with six excellent speakers taking to the podium during the course of the day...

This week's announcement that the country's two major fertiliser suppliers Yara and Terra are to merge is hardly a major surprise.

Since Yara took over Kemira in 2007 and became a joint venture partner with Terra in GrowHow, many in the industry have considered it just a matter of time before the companies cemented their relationship.

Yara has always been seen as "acquisitive" and eager to grow its 7% share of the world market to something in double figures - and this takes it another, significant step on the way.

It is understood that the planned merger with Terra will give it 9% global market share.

More importantly, it will also give the combined group a 30% stake in the US market and this is where Yara sees the greatest opportunity for growth and profit.

But what will it all mean for British farmers....

Peas and beans have never been my favourite vegetables - that particular accolade goes to braised red cabbage, followed closely by honey roasted parsnips.

But they have certainly gone up in my estimation following what amounted to three hours of "hard sell" at the PGRO (Processors and Growers Research Organisation) in Cambridgeshire last Friday (29 Jan).

Speaker after speaker sung the praises of peas and beans, making the attendees wonder what the world would be like without them.

PGRO chief executive Salvador Potter described them as the "ultimate break crop", fixing nitrogen and clearing up weeds and other pests.

Nutritionist Judith Buttress explained how pulses counted towards the "five-a-day" target and were especially good at providing fibre and iron...

More good news has emerged this week from the IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution), this time in the form of a survey looking at the consumer trend to buy more local food.

According to the report, 30% of shoppers have specifically purchased locally-produced food in the past month, compared with 15% just four years ago.

A similar number (31%) also said they would like more local products available to them, compared with 12% in 2006, as consumers look to improve freshness, reduce food miles, support farmers and keep jobs in the countryside.

The growing demand for local food does not come as a complete surprise, however - least of all to us at Farmers Weekly who were very much behind the push for local food with our Food Miles Campaign in 2006...