TALKING POINT
Markets fly own flagsin France
I have recently returned from a short break in France attending the Le Mans 24 Hour Race. While there, I looked around the local supermarkets and feel that my observations warrant this letter. In UK supermarkets, we expect to see English, French and South African produce. However, in France I could find only French apples and vegetables.
Although it was difficult to identify the origin of tinned goods, most appeared to be French. The meat was all French; some specifically marketed as locally produced with premium prices.
The beer was mainly French, German and Danish with only one brand of English. Turning to crisps Vico produce a special crisp (at a premium price) which is plastered with French flags and proudly proclaims that the potatoes are from Picardie, the sunflower oil French and the sea salt from Guerronne.
Is it any wonder that our farmers have difficulty in getting a decent price for the food that they produce when they lack the support that Auchan and Carrefour are obviously giving French farmers – with similar support from French processed food producers as well?
We must re-boot the Buy British Campaign and our supermarkets must support this by reducing choice if need be.
Marcus Adams
Annexe 1, 15 Church Lane, Little Eversden, Cambs.
Who is Henry trying to fool?
I dont know who Henry Fell (Talking Point, Jun 11) is trying to fool; himself or the rest of us? But his claim to have been involved in genetic modification of his sheep for 40 years is a contradiction in terms.
He might well have introduced genes from other breeds but that is a far cry from the present debate. If the scientists of the time had been attempting to introduce genes from rats, monkeys, fish etc into his flock, perhaps by now he would have found out whats worrying an army of Luddites like me today.
"Find out the facts" he says "and judge accordingly". What a gamble.
How can a man with six years on the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution "fail to understand why so many farmers are turning against GM science". Hasnt the BSE fiasco taught him anything?
We dont want an agricultural backwater or a theme park Mr Fell. We want to be left alone to produce food that is fit to eat and a marketing situation where we can afford to sell it.
Harry Shutkever
Wythwood Farm, Wilmore Lane, Wythall, Nr Birmingham.
Breeding claim is centuries old
Henry Fell (Talking Point, Jun 11) is being mischievous in comparing his own efforts to create a new breed of sheep with those of the genetic modifiers currently in the news.
Selecting within a species is what breeders have done for centuries. Its goal is the creation of superior breeds or varieties that could in theory occur naturally. If GM were to be used within species simply to speed up the development of new varieties, most of us would embrace the idea warmly. But what causes excitement is the creation of varieties that could never occur naturally because they have had foreign genes introduced to provide some agronomic benefit.
Until all effects on the environment have been properly ascertained, I believe it is the duty of all custodians of the land to resist the commercial introduction of such new genetic material. If such testing takes 25 years, so be it.
I also have grave doubts as to whether GM crops will make farmers any better off. Since the last war, arable systems have become more dependant on artificial inputs and production has risen enormously. At the same time, consumers and retailers have benefited from cheaper food supplies, agrochemical companies have done well and land prices have risen. But the farmer in the middle has ended up having to run faster to stand still. Is there any reason to believe the introduction of GM crops wont continue this trend?
Profitable farming has more to do with demand for our crops than whether the latest technologies have been used to produce them. So lets not be so stupid as to rush into the latest that technology has to offer in order to produce something that our customers dont want. Besides, I am enjoying being on the same side as the consumer for once.
Caspar Bush
Peart Farm, Norton St Philip, Bath.
Extra litres line others pockets
Dairy producers must do their homework. Many small-scale producers are receiving less than 18p/litre.
Why produce extra litres to line the pockets of the dairy company directors and share holders. If 6.2p is the break even price, quota should be 3.1p giving an equal share of profit to the producer and the person leasing out the quota. Large and small herds are selling out. The June returns will show a sharp fall in dairy cow numbers and in the total number of producers.
A R Rolf
Rolf Park Farm, Beaulieu, Hants.
Probe quota leasing market
When the investigations into supermarket profiteering are concluded, perhaps attention could turn to checking out the antics of the quota leasing market. Hard-pressed producers are being screwed by merciless leasing tactics from both agents and the lessors on behalf of whom they apparently work. With milk prices at unbelievably low levels and with some milk cheques generating less than 13p a litre in May, I do not see how agents have the nerve to try to hold prices up so unrealistically.
Then to get people to come to auctions, where major portions of the quota advertised for sale as a lease or permanent transfer is then withdrawn because it will not meet with the ridiculous expectations that the agents have given the lessors before the auction, is an insult to working farmers who give up time to attend. Unless agents get their act together soon, they are going to loose what little face they have left in this despicable market. For those who depend on leasing quota in, so that they may retain a viable business, it is to be hoped that sanity will return. Hopefully, those who work for a living will have a chance to generate a return that at the least will equal that obtained by those who do not work for their living.
Oliver Dowding
Hill Farmhouse, Shepton Montague, Wincanton, Somerset.
An NFU job to tackle bad Press
With reference to your comments encouraging farmers to take action to redress the negative headlines (Opinion, May 28). Surely, it is the job of the NFU to represent farmers and to counteract any negative publicity, which may arise?
Leighton Grove
Cilmaengwyn Isaf, Cilmaengwyn, Pontardawe, Swansea, West Glamorgan.
Offaly cull data doesnt add up
The bovine TB problem is escalating rapidly into areas which have been free of TB in cattle and badgers for 40 years. Surely that suggests its coming from untraced, brought-in stock?
Farmers cannot wait another seven years for the Krebs badger cull to prove, at great expense, that badger culling doesnt work.
It is tragic that the media have now seized on the Irish Offaly badger cull as "proof" that badgers are the answer. The reports duly note that in the project area, TB in cattle fell 91% between 1988-1995, whereas in the outside control area it only fell 53%. It is not mentioned that there were a few bad TB herds in the control area so that TB levels went up markedly in 1991.
Also, there were 55,000 cattle in the project area but 150,000 in the control. The numbers of reactors removed were 1458 versus 5646 respectively. Is it credible that taking out a mere 141 TB badgers in the 600sq km project area, over half in the first year, was the key to success as opposed to taking out 10 times the number of TB cattle?
M Hancox
17 Nouncells Cross, Stroud, Glos.
College gave me practical skills
I write in response to J Mussons letter (Jun 4). I also come from a non-farming background and left school after my GCSEs and went to work in my parents business. At the age of 23, I decided that agriculture was where my future lay. Having no A levels, I was not able to go straight onto a degree course and so I had to complete a pre-degree foundation course.
This I did at Bicton College, in conjunction with the Seale-Hayne Faculty of the University of Plymouth. The course contained the necessary core subjects, such as maths, biology and chemistry, and also covered areas such as crop and animal production and estate skills. Both these subject areas were highly practical, focusing on topics such as animal handling, crop and weed identification, tractor driving and other estate skills. The practical elements were also amply backed up by theory in the lecture room.
I am still at Seale-Hayne and the pre-degree course gave me the skill and confidence to find employment in the agricultural sector. In my holidays I have worked on farms, for harvest and lambing, gaining much-needed funds and a wealth of additional knowledge. I recommend this option not just to people without A levels but also to those without farm experience. I am sure, like me, they will not regret the experience and it will have nothing but a positive effect on their future studies.
If the industry is to continue and prosper it needs motivated people who are well trained and educated. It is my belief that this is still possible within the current education system.
Alex Jones
The Cottage, Globe Hill, Woodbury, Exeter, Devon.
Fighting reverse Robin Hood tax
Regarding your article Poll claims pesticide tax wont meet aims (Arable, June 18), I hope farmers have forwarded their objection to the environmental tax on pesticides. But farmers are not the only people who need to fight this reverse Robin Hood tax.
If you havent already read the European Unions Environmental Taxes and Charges in the Single Market (COM 97 0009) it will reveal exactly how it is indeed another back door tax. You will also see that not only are one or two member states making full use of the pesticide tax but also have gone ahead with a fertiliser tax.
Like many British people, I feel farmers have had a rotten deal, yet now, more than ever, I want good wholesome food. And I need confidence in the people who produce my food which I no longer have.
I also need confidence in my government minister for food, which I no longer have. When things go wrong in the farming industry, we all pay.
Anne Palmer
115 Cannock Road, Westcroft, Wolverhampton.
Muck, mystery & bureaucracy
In response to D Wenmans letter (June 11), conversion to organic farming is unattractive, to me at least, for a number of reasons.
Organic farming principles are at least partly muck and mystery rather than good science. It is very bureaucratic.
There are animal welfare concerns because of the said bureaucracy. The government has provided insufficient funding to cover the cost of conversion.
If countryside stewardship money is received, the conversion money is reduced.
Prof Nixs highest predicted grass margins for lowland lamb production are almost identical with those published in Elm Farms equivalent farm management pocketbook because of the lower stocking rate imposed. An organic farmer will have to be a good farmer.
Once more farmers have jumped onto the organic bandwagon, prices will fall to the same level as conventionally produced food. Statements from one prominent organisation that imply that only organically produced food is safe are offensive.
Organic farming is an option for those convinced of its merits, but maybe not for the rest of us.
G Smith
Old Milton Farm, Thurleigh, Bedford.
Innocent until proven guilty
Your correspondent J W Buckley, a solicitor (Letters, Jun 11) tells us farmers why we should join ACCS. He says: "If we are accused of not doing our job properly, how would we prove it?". One hates to tell a lawyer how to do his job but he should know we are innocent until proven guilty under English law.
Why should farmers have to prove their innocence to anyone? Ever-increasing grain exports prove already that buyers want our grain and need no reassurance. He asks whom the farmer can turn to if accused by a so-called "expert" of making mistakes. For a start he can turn to us at the Federation of Small Business. We often find the self-styled experts view is often just as easily questioned.
Bob Robertson
Chairman, FSB Agriculture Committee, Down Barton Farm, St Nicholas-at-Wade, Birchington, Kent.
Alert public to the use of BST
I hear on the radio that milk is to be made available to schools. What an excellent move, not only for the children, but for the dairy industry. However, in the light of the response to GM foods, what will happen when our customers discover that their children are probably drinking milk produced from BST-treated cows?
It seems obvious to me that the response will be to stop it straight away. It will also alert the public to the fact that farmers are again treating their stock with unknown substances for financial gain, caring not one bit for the consumers health or their cows health. What will be the response to that? Surely, they will stop drinking milk altogether.
If we dont alert the public now, to the threat of BST being used in the UK and Europe, by the end of the year it will be too late. The two milks will be mixed, undetectable and beyond recall. We in the industry are always crying that we are misunderstood, yet we can see a situation approaching that is going to make us even more unpopular.
Who will we have to blame but ourselves? Its always possible that the government is allowing all this fuss about GM foods to muddy the waters around BST until it is too late and its here. Perhaps it feels another trade war with the US would be bad business, and probably unsustainable.
It will be unstoppable if we dont address it in time to alert the public. As we have seen, they no longer trust the politicians, but they do believe they can move mountains – which they can. We should be seen to be helping them or calling on them to help us. That way we are on the side of the angels, and not companies and governments. And we would be doing ourselves a favour.
R Allen
Ennerdale, Crosemere Road, Cockshutt, Shropshire.
Ice cold milk misses mark
Before sinking money into generic milk advertising, there must be some up-to-date research into why we drink or do not drink it. Whoever takes it on, be it the MDC, NDC, Milk Marque, or whoever, let the sacred cow of previous campaigns; that milk should be gulped down ice cold from the fridge, be questioned.
That is because the unique flavour of fresh milk, as from the cow (nearly), is diminished and its digestibility reduced. Chilling makes it more difficult to distinguish from UHT milk, and increasing UHT consumption opens up the market to imports.
As with red rather than white wine, imbibing at room temperature may unearth a hitherto neglected market of potential milkaholics.
John Jenkin
Agricultural consultant, 5B South Cliff Tower, Meads, Eastbourne. johnjenkin@btinternet.com
Put Taunton on market map
Your article about farmers markets (Features, Jun 18) omitted Taunton. We have appeared on few lists because we are wholly farmer-led. We believe we are the only completely farmer-led market in the country.
No help has been received from any source except the NFU during our start up phase.
We set up a farmers co-op to organise the market. Members join for £1 with a returnable loan to us and we have obtained sponsorship for a set of smart umbrellas.
Having become successful, with two markets held and the third on Jun 24, the local council has now offered help.
We are proud to have succeeded through the dedication of 21 farmers who feel it was worthwhile to co-operate to make a thriving market, enlivening the town centre and making it a memorable shopping experience for many who attended and promise to return for the next one.
Shopkeepers who feel threatened are invited to meet us and those who feel it gives their business, within the vicinity, a boost are welcomed by all concerned.
June Small
Charlton Orchards, Creech St Michael, Taunton, Somerset.
TALKING POINT
What future is there for Britains beleaguered livestock farmers? Every sector – dairy, beef, sheep, pigs and poultry has suffered hard times recently, and there are pitifully few signs of recovery. There are many reasons for things being so bad, not all of which farmers can influence. But farmers do have the power to influence their major problem, if only they would take the little time and trouble to do it. There has never been a better time than now to write to your MP.
Nobody could accuse the current government of being sympathetic to agriculture or rural problems in general. Nick Brown has got himself a reputation as the listening minister, but that is just about all he has done, listened. Easy for him, cheap for the government, more or less useless for farmers. The only things he has done for pig farmers are eat a few sausages at a logo launch and write letters to retailers asking them to source UK pork and bacon.
However, it now may be just possible to jolt the government into taking the farm crisis seriously. It was embarrassed by the elections for the European parliament. The contamination of Belgian food with dioxin has made MPs nervous about food safety. A pig industry initiative, Tony Baldry MPs The Animal Welfare (Prohibition of Food Imports) Bill was voted through the Commons by 173 votes to 0 on June 8, with cross party support.
Although, there was a 10 minute rule bill that proposed banning animal product imports from countries with lower welfare standards, farmers should not get too excited. There was never any chance of it becoming law. What it has done is raise livestock farming on the political agenda.
On June 9 the Prime Minister said, in answer to a question about the Bill, that the government "will consider carefully" and "look sympathetically at it". Clearly such a response does not amount to action, but it does suggest that the message is finally getting through.
There is a great deal that the government could do to assist livestock farmers in the UK. Domestic health and welfare standards could be written into value for money criteria for all public bodies procurement policies. Offal disposal is a public health issue, but offal disposal charges are now a discriminatory tax on UK meat production. The unfolding Belgian crisis proves that other countries farm assurance and traceability falls short of our standards; UK farmers might – with government assistance – turn the hated assurance schemes to their own advantage.
So write to your MP. This is a job that just cannot be left to the NFU. The letters written by individual farmers, who are suffering the hardships of the farm crisis, have far more impact than the letters of national organisations who exist mainly to lobby. It does not matter greatly what is written, as long as it impresses MPs with the immediacy of farmers problems.
Politicians generally do not care greatly about farmers problems. Although they enjoy making concerned noises about animal welfare, they have no moral scruples about the import of food from low welfare systems. One thing they do care about is food safety. They care about dangers from food products, whether real, possible or merely imagined. One thing, above all others, must be made clear to UK politicians. They must be warned, in terms that they can understand, that if UK livestock production is allowed to collapse UK farm assurance and traceability will go with it.
Politically, there has never been a better time to lobby MPs. Dont be apathetic and leave it to others. Your MP needs your letter now.