READERS LETTERS
READERS LETTERS
Inquiry snub sets precedent
I am bitterly disappointed, but not surprised, by the two High Court judges decision to back the governments refusal to hold a public inquiry into foot-and-mouth. The request for a public inquiry into F&M was not just about country folk and their animals who have been abused and trodden into the ground. It was about something much greater.
The government said F&M was the greatest disaster to visit this country since World War Two. If the government can avoid having to hold a public inquiry into such a disaster, it sets a precedent for future governments to avoid a public inquiry about future disasters.
The rural community is a minority, but countries are judged by how they treat their minorities. The attorney general argued in the High Court that if people disagreed with the decision of government not to hold a public inquiry, the people had the sanction of the ballot box. Minorities do not control ballot boxes and it has been the tradition of the courts in this country to protect the rights of minorities.
Country folk are an oppressed minority and we relied on the High Court judges to resist their employer and rule that there should be a public inquiry. Lets hope an appeal to the House of Lords results in the decision the country wants.
Robert Persey
Upcott Farm, Broadhembury, Honiton, Devon.
If the farmers are united…
It is with alarm that I read that the NFUs south-west regional executive unreservedly supports the Curry report and has the backing of its membership (News, Mar 1).
Sir Donalds report is full of what should happen and little of how it can be achieved with a government determined to spend little or no money on the farming industry. Modulation is a curse brought upon us by the ignorant and pragmatic which will not bring profit to the countryside. It will tax all farmers and the money will be spent on a few.
If the government wants a countryside for people to enjoy farmers must be paid over and above what little support they get now.
The government is guided by minority groups and idealists with little or no practical knowledge of our countryside.
I would also disagree with those arable farmers who wish to stroke their egos by splitting away from the NFU. They will achieve only what many milk producers have done, which is to ruin the industry further.
So stick together and remember "united we stand, divided we fall".
Jonathan King
Combe Farm, Bratton, Westbury, Wilts.
Controlling our home predators
I write regarding the controversial subject of hunting with hounds. Muggings, murder, robbery and rape are soaring. Would it not be better if Tony Blair and Tony Banks channelled their energies into controlling the predators in their own environment and left country people to do likewise in theirs?
John R Garner
Garner & Sons, Stockenhall Farm, Wood Enderby, Boston, Lincs.
Ewe nutrition is top priority
Your article Any alternatives to fishmeal? (Livestock, Feb 8), carefully compares vegetable-derived proteins in ewe diets with fishmeal. Results from trials show that while daily liveweight gains in lambs compares well, vegetable protein feeds have a negative impact on colostrum production.
I hope that does not lead producers to believe that nothing compares to fishmeal. We have plenty of results from trial work in Britain showing that some vegetable-derived products can perform better than fishmeal in ewe diets.
SCA Nutritions parent company, Provimi, has put extensive resources into developing a cost-effective alternative to fishmeal. The product, Amino Green, has been on the UK market for four years and blends vegetable protein sources produced through a unique process to achieve a bypass protein content of 73% compared with fishmeals 50%.
Its balance of essential amino acids is more suited to the ewes requirements pre and post-lambing than fishmeal. Trials show improvements in lamb birthweights and colostrum quantity and quality when Amino Green was compared directly with fishmeal.
There are good alternatives to fishmeal, but farmers need to be discerning and select an effective and proven protein source. Lets not be misled into thinking that ewe nutrition must suffer after the fishmeal ban.
Norman Downey
Technical manager, SCA Nutrition, Maple Mill, Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate, Dalton, Thirsk, North Yorks.
Water costs more than milk
In supermarkets bottled milk on balance seems to be cheaper than bottled water. Raw milk costs 19p/litre and raw water for bottling about 5p/litre. Processing, packing, marketing, distributing and retailing costs must be broadly similar, even allowing for extra marketing costs for water and extra retailing costs for milk due to limited shelf life. So why is bottled water not substantially cheaper than milk? Presumably the answer is that the regular shopper measures the competitiveness of a supermarkets prices by items such as milk. Consequentially supermarket profit margins on milk are lower than normal.
Is that why supermarket power has exerted so much downward pressure on the milk price paid to farmers? Such low prices are causing milk producers to restructure into enormous dairy herds milked in vast multi-million £ industrial type dairy complexes or leave the industry. Is that the type of countryside we want? If the Labour government keeps pushing for global free trade in food and the power of the supermarkets remains unchecked, the future for UK dairy farmers looks precarious.
Tom Claythorne,
Hillcroft Farm, Beaworthy, Devon.
Nice cold, ice cold water?
Recently my 12-year-old daughter had a couple of friends over for the day. At the request for something to drink, I offered the girls a glass of milk, which caused an outburst of laughter with my daughter telling me to: "Get real, Mummy".
Why the outburst? Milk is not trendy, nor is it cool to be seen drinking although the second option offered – a glass of water was accepted straight away. Perhaps the white stuff should be targeted at the younger generation.
Mines a large milk – with just a hint of vodka.
Karen Bailey
karenbailey@merlins.fsnet.co.uk
Initials GM cause insanity
What is it about the initials GM which cause normally sane journalists to become hysterical? The Times recently printed a long article about Monsanto suing American farmers who have broken their written agreement not to retain GM seeds. Shock horror.
Yet here in the UK, if I retain a bag of non-GM wheat from this years harvest and plant it for my next crop, I must pay the relevant breeder a royalty. If I refuse, I will be sued by the British Society of Plant Breeders.
I do not remotely object to this since plant breeders, like authors, are fully entitled to royalties. Before The Times criticises Monsanto, the editor might ponder what action he would take if he found me selling photocopies of his newspaper in Piccadilly Circus at 20p/copy.
Oliver Walston
Thriplow Farm, Thriplow, Royston, Herts.
United we must stand
What a well written leader you have produced and what a lot of sense it makes (Opinion, Mar 8). I also read the article (News, Mar 8) about the arable farmers who are getting fed up with NFU and considering splitting away. Like farmers weekly I believe united we stand divided we fall.
But NFU HQ often appears far removed from the counties. It is crucial that they never forget HQ is there to represent the shires not the other way around. Among county chairmen I am not alone in this view.
David Orpwood
orpwood@woodsfarm.freeserve.co.uk
Ask the HGCA for the answers
I would like to save Guy Smith the hard work of raising £50,000 to commission a feasibility study to examine the setting up of an arable body to compare with the National Sheep Association (Letters, Mar 8). Can I suggest he rings the HGCA to ask what it does?
The National Sheep Association is concerned with the promotion of sheep and their products. The HGCA is regarded as a trade association alleged to promote British cereals (and oilseeds) and their products.
To write that arable farmers have no independent bodies championing their cause is misleading.
N Jack Thorogood
S Thorogood & Sons, Skeggs Farm, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex.
Depressing but typical weather
Britains winter weather has changed much over the years. Conditions are now so mild, wet and mucky that our climate has become unhealthy for humans and farm animals.
Farm animals are spending longer under cover and, because of the mild weather, they sweat unless the buildings are well-ventilated which makes them more prone to disease.
I work outdoors all year round and much prefer long spells of frosty weather which not only cleans and protects the soil from damage, it controls disease.
Climate experts forecast an increasing number of rainy days during the winter for the next 100 years.
What is the future of farming given such depressing news?
Jim Braid
Croft House, Bridgend, Perth.
Horses on par with farming
Sometime ago the government announced a big expansion of the equine industry in Britain, with more stables, livery facilities and greater emphasis on breeding horses for sport, competition and recreation.
Few existing buildings are suitable for equine purposes, so planning consent will be required at various levels. Even the change from agriculture to riding horses requires local authority consent. When considering, for example, staff dwellings for those that care for horses, government planning guidelines (PPG7) to local authorities says: "Where there is a functional need, favourable consideration should be given for staff dwellings for farm and forestry workers, both inside and outside designated Green Belt areas".
Dwellings for equestrian activities are not specifically mentioned in PPG7, therefore most local planning authorities refuse consent on the grounds that equine businesses are not agriculture, even when functional need and viability is demonstrated. In addition, premises used for riding horses are subject to full business rates.
Equine pursuits are now the second largest economic activity in the British countryside and closely akin to agriculture. It would be reasonable for hard-pressed farmers to look at the horse industry when considering their future, especially after foot-and-mouth. Horses live off the land, they need as much care and attention as any other farm animals and if the government is sincere in its desire to encourage the industry, equestrianism should have planning and rating parity with agriculture, both in the interests of rural economy, care and welfare.
Bert Collacott
Beckbrook Equestrian Centre, 30A Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge.
Best thing to do is join the k
Your correspondent Peter Day, a friend and neighbour of mine, makes a number of interesting points (Letters, Mar 8).
I disagree with his comments about renationalisation of the CAP. The last thing we want is for agricultural support to be repatriated under the control of the UK government. That would be the quickest way to lose production, or pillar one, support.
European farmers, particularly those in France and Germany, are our greatest allies in this case. They have much stronger support from their consumers and will vote and act to maintain as much of the CAP as possible.
Even Mrs Vennaman, the US secretary of state for agriculture, recognises farmers in the western world need production support to remain in business.
The most important thing we should do for a basic manufacturing/commodity industry like ours is to join the Euro-zone provided, of course, it is at a reasonable rate. There is the expectation that as we get closer to joining, the £ will weaken, enhancing our prices.
Look at the increasing farm profitability in Europe and contrast that with our recent problems.
Tony Williams
Norfolk NFU County Chairman, The Grange, Brandiston, Nr Reepham, Norwich, Norfolk.
Any memories of Caythorpe?
The closure of the Caythorpe Campus in a few months will bring to an end 53 years of agricultural education in Kesteven and mark the start of a new era for students in Lincs as part of Lincoln University school of agriculture.
I would welcome information from past students and staff covering their time at Caythorpe when it was a farm institute, agricultural college and finally as part of De Monfort University for inclusion in a history of Caythorpe Court and the College.
Contributions of not more than 1500 words plus photographs and details of the year and courses would be welcome. Contributions should be sent to me by e-mail addressed to james.holton@btopenworld.com. Or by post to the address below. The closing date for contributions and photographs is June 1, 2002. Publication is expected to be in mid-2003.
Jim Holton
2 Southgate Spinneys, South Rauceby, Sleaford, Lincs.
Going round full circle
Gayne Coopers comments about milk marketing (Letters, Mar 1) are interesting. But I thought that there once was a farmers organisation with real size in the industry. It was called the Milk Marketing Board.
The fact is that British farmers dont co-operate that well, whereas their counterparts on the continent do.
Surely Ms Cooper is suggesting that we now turn the wheel full circle?
The reality of life these days is that no one owes anyone else a living and there are no jobs for life anymore, no matter what business you are in.
If farmers really want to make a difference to prices then they should buy shares in the supermarkets and that way they could put pressure on the boards as shareholders, not as suppliers.
That way things might get changed. If the amount of money suggested by Farmers for Action to purchase Express Dairies was put into buying supermarket shares, then we would really see some action.
John Davies
5 Church Row, Caterhall, Whitchurch, Shropshire.
No feedback on AI bull fertility
Your article on the drop in dairy cow conception rates (Livestock, Mar 1) made no mention of the bull, which I was taught is half the herd. When I was working as a veterinary officer in the Milk Marketing Board AI division about 25 years ago it was a 100% technician service. It was possible to have accurate non-return rates for the bulls and there could be real differences.
In some cases although the semen looked OK in the laboratory, field results indicated that it didnt get cows in-calf. These results were constantly scrutinised and bulls below par, no matter how good the figures on milk, were withdrawn. Our committees from the producers would not allow it to be used.
Drawing on accurate records from the field, it was possible to carry out research into the many factors affecting AI bull fertility. Those included sperm numbers, various diluters, straw handling and timing of insemination. With the advent of DIY it seems that the feedback on AI bull fertility is lacking. Are we sure that we are using fertile semen and putting it in the right place at the right time?
Alan P Carter
Longmead Veterinary Practice, Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Aid rejection around corner
In 1985, the US Department of Agriculture had a system of agricultural support called set-aside. Its a system we became familiar with in the 1990s.
In 2002, a select few receive the majority of USDA agricultural aid, while 60% of farms get little or no aid. Thousands of applications for aid are rejected.
The rejection of your application for environmental and sustainable farming aid is coming. You read it here first.
AE Searby
25 High Holme Road, Louth, Lincs.
Be alert to RoW threats
I am grateful to Ruth Kelly (Letters, Feb 1) for highlighting one of the management responses available to landowners where they are seeking to protect themselves from claims of prescriptive Rights of Way. She is correct in her assertions; declarations under Section 31(6) of The Highways Act 1980 are not always "simple and straightforward". That is especially true where the definitive plan has not been amended since its original drawing-up in the 1920s, which is often the case.
Such a declaration also does not protect against claims of neighbourhood greens, aided by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. I understand there are similar provisions in the Commons Registration Act of 1965, which may be called into play by landowners.
The intention of my original letter was not to suggest that prescriptive rights of way or neighbourhood greens were the inevitable consequence of allowing permissive access (or not being able to prevent informal access under stewardship agreements). It was to make sure readers were aware that without taking pre-emptive management actions they were exposed in the manner described.
I hope I have not sown alarm or confusion. I simply wished to raise the issue of the necessity of being alert to these threats in order that preventative actions can be taken.
David Pardoe
FPDSavills, Rolfes House, 60 Milford Street, Salisbury.
Rules block caravans path
During recent years I have arranged a small number of caravan rallies to be held on my farm.
A rally can be held on land without a special licence provided it lasts only a few days over a weekend and the facilities, which have to be provided, are minimal.
Now new rules have been introduced which make it almost impossible for farmland grazed by livestock to be used by caravans on an occasional basis. In my case it would not be economic to clear the field of sheep three weeks before the rally and remove droppings and grass cuttings.
I would be interested to hear if others are aware of these regulations. If they are necessary, how dangerous is farmland to the public? Is it safe for people to walk where livestock graze? Many young people take part in hikes to complete their Duke of Edinburgh award scheme in this area and their tents are often pitched for the night on land grazed by livestock. Is that safe?
People walk in the hills around us, which are all grazed and children especially often use their hands and knees to climb. Surely that is a greater risk that spending time in a caravan on farmland?
Edward Jones
Acton Scott Farm, Church Stretton, Shropshire.
Can pig arcs save lambs?
Why dont sheep farmers use pig arcs for lambing and all year round shelter from the elements. Under natural conditions the countryside would be covered in a low dense scrub which provides perfect shelter.
I bought a small flock of in-lamb ewes from a well established pedigree sheep farmer from Poole, Dorset. When I asked if my sheep would use the small barn Id built for them, he was doubtful. And he said they wouldnt lie on straw unless it was wet.
The one open side of my galvanized shelter faced the hedgerow away from the ensuing winds and away from field and flock. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that each ewe left the flock to lamb in the corner of the barn with no encouragement from me. Also at first signs of a downpour, the whole flock of 20 would come charging in. Furthermore, when the lambs were running together, they would lie down together snuggling up on a nice, dry straw.
If lambs die in wet weather, why not take out some lightweight pig arcs? Ive never tried it but Im sure other people have. Any animal would be glad of the shelter and Im sure that pig arcs can save the lives of countless lambs.
Nicky Hann
Holly Farm, Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Dorset.
Stockless site was not typical
I refer to your article "Yes, a stockless system can work" (Livestock, Feb 8) about the MAFF-funded trial of stockless organic farming over 10 years at ADAS Terrington.
Bill Cormack, who carried out the research, asserts that on a technical level, stockless organic farming is sustainable.
He bases this on the economic performance of the crops grown and the only caveat is that the organic selling price premiums may be unsustainable. A more contentious issue is the sustainability of soil fertility under a stockless organic system.
Research at ADAS Terrington was carried out in a deep, nutrient retentive and water retentive silty clay loam.
It is representative of a small percentage of UK arable soils. Why did MAFF select such an unrepresentative site for this research? If I fitted a 200gal fuel tank to my car and drove it for 5000 miles, I could not claim to have invented sustainable motoring.
The main problem with organic standards as they are defined by the UK overseeing bodies and European law, is that they proscribe the most effective means available to conventional farmers for replacing nutrients removed in a crop.
Sewage sludge is banned under organic standards and there would be insufficient to go round even if it was permitted.
Green waste compost is economically available only close to large urban conurbations, and then only in modest quantities. Nutrient levels will tend to fall to a level where crops will not produce an economic return.
To assert, in the case of exhaustion of soil nutrient reserves, that it would be easy to revert to conventional farming and the use of inorganic fertilisers, is irresponsible.
Once soil reserves have been run down to this extent, it would be unthinkable to try to replenish them in the current agricultural economic climate.
Mark Gillingham.
The Courtyard Partnership Info@courtyard-partnership.co.uk