BF&G Conference Special 2013

INSIDEHORSEMEAT

QUIZZING TESCOSECTOR FOCUSSOCIAL MEDIA

NEXT GENERATION#SOSDAIRY

FARMING DELIVERS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

EXPO

RTSENERGY

RESEARCH

COALITION

EMPLOYMENTFOOD SECURITY

floodin

g

BOVINE TBREFORM

ECONOMY

RED TAPEIMPORTS

CAP

p1_ConferenceSpecial_cover.indd 1 28/02/2013 14:32

N FU President Peter Kendall opened the 2013

conference with a plea for ‘longer-term thinking and shorter supply chains’.

speaking at the international Conference

Centre in Birmingham, Mr Kendall said that the recent horsemeat scandal had shown that the ‘great British consumer’ wanted their food to be produced as close to home as possible. He underlined three important lessons that have emerged from the scandal so far.

“First, we’ve learnt that it’s nonsense when retailers claim they can sell eight beef burgers for a pound and maintain complete transparency about what’s in their products and where it comes from.”

Also, that the longer the supply chain was and the more borders it crosses the less traceable food is and the more open it is to negligence and abuse. And finally, that consumers want British food produced ‘with passion’ by British farmers.

He asked consumers to be more demanding, – of where their food comes form, how it is produced and what goes in to it.

Mr Kendall said that standing still on production was not an option when the Office of national statistics predicted that within eight years the population of england will have increased by 4.5 million people. But that this was a huge opportunity for farmers.

to take advantage of this he called upon the secretary of state for Agriculture Owen Paterson to fight for a fair deal for farmers in the CAP negotiations.

He said that the nFU has never argued for a bigger CAP budget, but that British farmers were not disadvantaged compared to their eU counterparts.

“Let me be really blunt and to the point. i’m worried that this is exactly what will happen, on both accounts, as a result of this government’s stance on CAP reform.”

He spoke about defra’s apparent support for coupled payments for the scots after previously opposing them at every opportunity.

Mr Kendall told Mr Paterson that a hatred of modulation was the one factor that united every farmer in the country.

“defra has negotiated the right to cut english farmers’ payments by up to 15 per cent. that’s intolerable to us in the nFU and our farming partners.

“i know when i am out doing meetings and i explain what’s going on farmers are saying to me ‘who’s batting for us in this CAP negotiation?’

“When you look at 3,000 farmers turning out for the #sOsdairy campaign in Westminster last June to fight what they saw was an injustice of a price cut, just wait to see the strength of feeling you’ll see amongst farmers if they try to modulate one part of the UK out of all proportion to the rest,” Mr Kendall added to applause from the delegates.

3BF&G CONFERENCE SPECIAL

PRESIDENT’S SPEECH

Welcome to your BF&G

Conference Special! This is a

one-off magazine produced

live at NFU Conference in

Birmingham and sent to

all members of the NFU in

England and Wales to show

you who said what, why they

said it and the implications of

their actions.

Inside this edition you

can read all about what Peter

Kendall had to say in his state-

of-the-farming-nation address,

how Philip Clarke dealt

with the horsemeat scandal

and what the outlook of the

economy looks like

for farming.

This doesn’t replace your

monthly dose of British Farmer

and Grower or Farming Wales

– it’s a free addition – which

we hope you enjoy.

TWITTERSTATS

STATE OF THE FARMING NATION-----------------

Call for shorter supply chains tops the agenda

We now need

supermarkets to stop

scouring the world for

the cheapest products

they can find 14,781

4,360

1.8 MILLION

tWeets COntAininG #NFU13

retWeets

PeOPLe reACHed

in tHe First 24 HOUrsOF COnFerenCe...

p3_ConferenceSpecial_presidents speach.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:19002 BFG Conference Feb2013.indd 1 28/02/2013 10:11

N FU President Peter Kendall opened the 2013

conference with a plea for ‘longer-term thinking and shorter supply chains’.

speaking at the international Conference

Centre in Birmingham, Mr Kendall said that the recent horsemeat scandal had shown that the ‘great British consumer’ wanted their food to be produced as close to home as possible. He underlined three important lessons that have emerged from the scandal so far.

“First, we’ve learnt that it’s nonsense when retailers claim they can sell eight beef burgers for a pound and maintain complete transparency about what’s in their products and where it comes from.”

Also, that the longer the supply chain was and the more borders it crosses the less traceable food is and the more open it is to negligence and abuse. And finally, that consumers want British food produced ‘with passion’ by British farmers.

He asked consumers to be more demanding, – of where their food comes form, how it is produced and what goes in to it.

Mr Kendall said that standing still on production was not an option when the Office of national statistics predicted that within eight years the population of england will have increased by 4.5 million people. But that this was a huge opportunity for farmers.

to take advantage of this he called upon the secretary of state for Agriculture Owen Paterson to fight for a fair deal for farmers in the CAP negotiations.

He said that the nFU has never argued for a bigger CAP budget, but that British farmers were not disadvantaged compared to their eU counterparts.

“Let me be really blunt and to the point. i’m worried that this is exactly what will happen, on both accounts, as a result of this government’s stance on CAP reform.”

He spoke about defra’s apparent support for coupled payments for the scots after previously opposing them at every opportunity.

Mr Kendall told Mr Paterson that a hatred of modulation was the one factor that united every farmer in the country.

“defra has negotiated the right to cut english farmers’ payments by up to 15 per cent. that’s intolerable to us in the nFU and our farming partners.

“i know when i am out doing meetings and i explain what’s going on farmers are saying to me ‘who’s batting for us in this CAP negotiation?’

“When you look at 3,000 farmers turning out for the #sOsdairy campaign in Westminster last June to fight what they saw was an injustice of a price cut, just wait to see the strength of feeling you’ll see amongst farmers if they try to modulate one part of the UK out of all proportion to the rest,” Mr Kendall added to applause from the delegates.


PRESIDENT’S SPEECH

Welcome to your BF&G

Conference Special! This is a

one-off magazine produced

live at NFU Conference in

Birmingham and sent to

all members of the NFU in

England and Wales to show

you who said what, why they

said it and the implications of

their actions.

Inside this edition you

can read all about what Peter

Kendall had to say in his state-

of-the-farming-nation address,

how Philip Clarke dealt

with the horsemeat scandal

and what the outlook of the

economy looks like

for farming.

This doesn’t replace your

monthly dose of British Farmer

and Grower or Farming Wales

– it’s a free addition – which

we hope you enjoy.

TWITTERSTATS

STATE OF THE FARMING NATION-----------------

Call for shorter supply chains tops the agenda

We now need

supermarkets to stop

scouring the world for

the cheapest products

they can find 14,781

4,360

1.8 MILLION

tWeets COntAininG #NFU13

retWeets

PeOPLe reACHed

in tHe First 24 HOUrsOF COnFerenCe...

p3_ConferenceSpecial_presidents speach.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:19002 BFG Conference Feb2013.indd 1 28/02/2013 10:11

OWEN PATERSON reaffirmed

his commitment to the badger cull by reassuring conference delegates that

two pilots will go ahead this summer.The Defra Secretary of State

announced that authorisation letters have been issued by Natural England confirming the culls can proceed in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset.

A reserve pilot area is also being prepared in Dorset as a safeguard to ensure there are no delays to the cull proceeding this year.

“I am determined that there are no further delays. That is why we have taken the sensible step with the farming industry to elect a reserve area that can be called upon should anything happen to prevent culling in Somerset or Gloucestershire,” he said.

“These pilot culls are just one part of our approach to control and eradicate this dreadful disease. We are using everything at our disposal to get to grips with TB including new tougher controls on moving cattle, increased herd testing and working to get effective vaccines ready as soon as possible.”

The authorisation letters issued by Natural England mean that culling will be


POLITICS

ONE YEAR after a taskforce identified more than 200

ways in which government could reduce bureaucracy in

farming, there is a still long way to go.

That’s according to Richard Macdonald who said that after

a ‘full and frank’ review, there were a number of key steps

that needed to be taken for farmers to notice a real difference.

“We’ve got to turn intention into action,” he said.

The taskforce looked at how to reduce the farm inspection

burden, how animal movement restrictions could be

simplified and how farmers could ‘earn recognition’.

Mr Macdonald said a ‘culture change’ within Defra would

help many new staff understand the complex world of farming.

“There’s a lot more we can achieve on inspections,” he

added, “there are a lot of inspections that we have to do but

others that can be streamlined.”

Farming Minister David Heath said that farmers wouldn’t

always notice if they had one fewer form to fill in and that

reducing the red tape burden wasn’t always as visible as he

would like.

You can read the full report on the Defra website.

able to proceed at any point from 1 June. The pilot culls will last for six weeks and will be repeated annually for four years.

Despite the difficult past year experienced by farmers, Mr Paterson said he is convinced British farming has ‘much to be positive about’.

“We must ensure that the British public have confidence in the food they are eating,” he added.

“The substitution of beef with horsemeat in a number of products has shaken consumer confidence. It’s totally unacceptable that anyone should buy something labelled beef and end up with horsemeat. That is fraud.”

The Defra Secretary said he is

OWEN PATERSON-----------------

Badger culls will go ahead this summer and the horsemeat saga

STILL MUCH TO DO TO CUT FARMING RED TAPEMacdonald urges change of culture within government

determined that such criminal activity is stopped and that anyone who has defrauded the customer must ‘feel the full force of the law’.

He added that championing British food abroad and ensuring the UK has access to overseas markets is a priority.

“There are some great examples of new markets the government has worked hard to open up,” he added.

Giving farmers access to all the tools needed to produce food as efficiently and sustainably as possible is also key – which includes GM.

“That’s why we need to make the case for GM to the public, with a balanced understanding of the risks and benefits,” he said.

p5-7_ConferenceSpecial_politics&economy.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:24

OWEN PATERSON reaffirmed

his commitment to the badger cull by reassuring conference delegates that

two pilots will go ahead this summer.The Defra Secretary of State

announced that authorisation letters have been issued by Natural England confirming the culls can proceed in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset.

A reserve pilot area is also being prepared in Dorset as a safeguard to ensure there are no delays to the cull proceeding this year.

“I am determined that there are no further delays. That is why we have taken the sensible step with the farming industry to elect a reserve area that can be called upon should anything happen to prevent culling in Somerset or Gloucestershire,” he said.

“These pilot culls are just one part of our approach to control and eradicate this dreadful disease. We are using everything at our disposal to get to grips with TB including new tougher controls on moving cattle, increased herd testing and working to get effective vaccines ready as soon as possible.”

The authorisation letters issued by Natural England mean that culling will be


POLITICS

ONE YEAR after a taskforce identified more than 200

ways in which government could reduce bureaucracy in

farming, there is a still long way to go.

That’s according to Richard Macdonald who said that after

a ‘full and frank’ review, there were a number of key steps

that needed to be taken for farmers to notice a real difference.

“We’ve got to turn intention into action,” he said.

The taskforce looked at how to reduce the farm inspection

burden, how animal movement restrictions could be

simplified and how farmers could ‘earn recognition’.

Mr Macdonald said a ‘culture change’ within Defra would

help many new staff understand the complex world of farming.

“There’s a lot more we can achieve on inspections,” he

added, “there are a lot of inspections that we have to do but

others that can be streamlined.”

Farming Minister David Heath said that farmers wouldn’t

always notice if they had one fewer form to fill in and that

reducing the red tape burden wasn’t always as visible as he

would like.

You can read the full report on the Defra website.

able to proceed at any point from 1 June. The pilot culls will last for six weeks and will be repeated annually for four years.

Despite the difficult past year experienced by farmers, Mr Paterson said he is convinced British farming has ‘much to be positive about’.

“We must ensure that the British public have confidence in the food they are eating,” he added.

“The substitution of beef with horsemeat in a number of products has shaken consumer confidence. It’s totally unacceptable that anyone should buy something labelled beef and end up with horsemeat. That is fraud.”

The Defra Secretary said he is

OWEN PATERSON-----------------

Badger culls will go ahead this summer and the horsemeat saga

STILL MUCH TO DO TO CUT FARMING RED TAPEMacdonald urges change of culture within government

determined that such criminal activity is stopped and that anyone who has defrauded the customer must ‘feel the full force of the law’.

He added that championing British food abroad and ensuring the UK has access to overseas markets is a priority.

“There are some great examples of new markets the government has worked hard to open up,” he added.

Giving farmers access to all the tools needed to produce food as efficiently and sustainably as possible is also key – which includes GM.

“That’s why we need to make the case for GM to the public, with a balanced understanding of the risks and benefits,” he said.


HORSEMEAT SCANDAL-----------------

Philip Clarke reveals ‘radical changes’ are in storeQ&AAs a result of horsegate there

is potential for more testing of

meat in the supply chain – will

this cost fall back to the farmer?

We have got to avoid that and

customers don’t want to pay for it

either. There is space for everyone in

the supply chain to make a profit. At

Tesco we are committed to British meat.

Why did it take so long for a

comment to be made by the

supply chain about horsemeat?

There was a pause between the results

and comment and rightly so. Comment

was made at the earliest opportunity

once results were analysed.

Are the commitments you have

made to British meat include

lamb? Will Welsh lamb be on the

shelves 12 months of the year

from now on?

We have started with the commitment

we have made for chicken. With your

help we will move forward and make

further commitments. We will accept

nothing but the highest standards in

our supply chain.

There have been continued

discounting and special offers

made in supermarkets. Are you

committed to paying a fair price

going forward?

Prices have become more and more

important. If one part of the chain

does not make a margin then it will

break. Retailing is not just about price.

Working together we can make sure

more is British. This will take time but I

am going to do it. Today we commit to

a change.

HORSEMEAT

T esCo Chief Philip Clarke chose to announce ‘the most radical change between a retailer and producers that has been attempted,’ at NfU conference.

in the wake of the horsemeat scandal, Mr Clarke announced a series of measures designed to create a supply chain customers can have complete confidence in.

“Not since Bse has the meat processing industry been under such scrutiny,” he said.

“The events of the past six weeks have shocked the whole country. Customers don’t like what they’ve been hearing about how some of the meat they put on their plates is produced.”

he pledged that ‘where it is reasonable to do so’ Tesco will source from British producers. from July, all fresh chickens will come exclusively from UK farms and the supermarket will ensure, over time, that all chicken, in all products, is British.

“These commitments represent a genuine shift in how Tesco sources the products we sell,” he said. “But we cannot do this without you.

“And so this needs to be a true and sustainable partnership, one built on mutual trust and understanding, one in which both parties can prosper and make a fair profit.”

Transparency in the supply chain is a key concern, and therefore Tesco will undertake a ‘root and branch review’. “i am in no doubt that we will find things we don’t like,” he commented. “But when we find them, we will change them.”

The supermarket giant will also extend the reach of its existing Tesco sustainable farming Groups to cover all proteins and potentially fruits, vegetables and salads. A new tesco agriculture director will lead the development of these groups and provide a single point of contact for the farming industry. An ‘unprecedented’ DNA testing programme on all batches of processed beef entering the supply chain will be implemented and an independent panel of experts will give guidance on improving the way the supply chain works in practice.

he admitted that Tesco haven’t always approached relationships with producers ‘in the true spirit of partnership’ but that he is determined to change that for the better.

“The commitments i have made today are genuine, and i expect to be held to account on them,” he said. “i expect you to test us and i expect you to tell us if we’re not delivering.”

BF&G CONFERENCE SPECIAL 7

Quizzing Tesco’s boss


6 BF&G CONFERENCE SPECIAL

CAP REFORM

IN A MISSION statement that

mirrored many of the NFU’s

campaigning calls on CAP, the

president of the European farmers union drove home the need

for a fair and practical reform.

Gerd Sonnleiter spoke of the need for an effective and

practical CAP that worked as well in the UK as it did in any

other country in the EU.

He echoed the need for land to remain in production, not to

be removed.

“We want a modern, dynamic agriculture that delivers for

farmers and the consumer,” he said.

“Our main concern in COPA is the economic position of

farming. They can’t provide for the population if they don’t

have confi dence.”

Mr Sonnleiter presides over the union that represents all of

the European farming unions and he said that he was pleased

that an EU budget had been agreed, adding that the CAP –

now more than 40-years-old – had proven to work.

But while that unifi ed approach has worked well as a

lobbying platform, individual countries should be allowed

fl exibility to implement the CAP in a way that allows each

country to compete.

“It makes no sense to apply the same rules to all farms

throughout Europe,” he said.

“We have been working hard with ministers to get a CAP

that’s practical and effective and we hope to reach agreement

by the end of June.”

Mr Sonnleiter added that Peter Kendall had made a big

difference in Europe with his lobbying on the European

food chain.

He also showed his anger at the horsemeat scandal: “It’s

unfortunate that the market is undermined by actions taken

higher up the food chain. This is unacceptable.”

REPRESENTATION IN EUROPECOPA president echoes calls from UK farming

FARMERS FIGHT FOR FAIR DEAL-----------------

United front on CAP reform

T HE NFU, CLA and TFA have joined forces to launch a joint position statement on proposals for the

greening of the CAP.The ‘Fair Deal for English Farmers’

sets out proposals the three organisations would like Defra to adopt when designing the delivery of greening at an English level.

NFU President Peter Kendall said the government needs to help farmers produce more food, not hinder.

“It’s a really important message to government, not just Defra - British farmers want to be treated fairly because we want to produce more and contribute to the economy,” he added.

CLA president Harry Cotterell said despite disagreements in the past, the three organisations stand � rm behind the list of proposals. And Jeremy Walker from the TFA agreed, stating that pillar one is important for tenant farmers, who are increasingly being demanded higher rents.“Greening is great - if you can afford it,” he said.

Fair Deal for English Farmers is made up of seven proposals, the � rst being that English farmers, like the rest of Europe, must have a choice of greening options, including access to all the applicable categories deemed ‘green by de� nition’ which grant farmers automatic entitlement to the

greening aid envisaged within the reform package.

Greening should not impose higher standards or compliance costs on English farmers than those in other UK regions or EU member states, and it should be implemented in a way that does not require land to be taken out of production.

Introducing a greening element into

pillar one removes the need to switch funds from pillar one to pillar two. The three organisations oppose modulation.

Other points include allowing farmers to opt out of participation in speci� c greening measures and consequently forego the 30 per cent of the new payment envisaged for greening within the new pillar one framework but without further penalty.


HORSEMEAT SCANDAL-----------------

Philip Clarke reveals ‘radical changes’ are in storeQ&AAs a result of horsegate there

is potential for more testing of

meat in the supply chain – will

this cost fall back to the farmer?

We have got to avoid that and

customers don’t want to pay for it

either. There is space for everyone in

the supply chain to make a profit. At

Tesco we are committed to British meat.

Why did it take so long for a

comment to be made by the

supply chain about horsemeat?

There was a pause between the results

and comment and rightly so. Comment

was made at the earliest opportunity

once results were analysed.

Are the commitments you have

made to British meat include

lamb? Will Welsh lamb be on the

shelves 12 months of the year

from now on?

We have started with the commitment

we have made for chicken. With your

help we will move forward and make

further commitments. We will accept

nothing but the highest standards in

our supply chain.

There have been continued

discounting and special offers

made in supermarkets. Are you

committed to paying a fair price

going forward?

Prices have become more and more

important. If one part of the chain

does not make a margin then it will

break. Retailing is not just about price.

Working together we can make sure

more is British. This will take time but I

am going to do it. Today we commit to

a change.

HORSEMEAT

T esCo Chief Philip Clarke chose to announce ‘the most radical change between a retailer and producers that has been attempted,’ at NfU conference.

in the wake of the horsemeat scandal, Mr Clarke announced a series of measures designed to create a supply chain customers can have complete confidence in.

“Not since Bse has the meat processing industry been under such scrutiny,” he said.

“The events of the past six weeks have shocked the whole country. Customers don’t like what they’ve been hearing about how some of the meat they put on their plates is produced.”

he pledged that ‘where it is reasonable to do so’ Tesco will source from British producers. from July, all fresh chickens will come exclusively from UK farms and the supermarket will ensure, over time, that all chicken, in all products, is British.

“These commitments represent a genuine shift in how Tesco sources the products we sell,” he said. “But we cannot do this without you.

“And so this needs to be a true and sustainable partnership, one built on mutual trust and understanding, one in which both parties can prosper and make a fair profit.”

Transparency in the supply chain is a key concern, and therefore Tesco will undertake a ‘root and branch review’. “i am in no doubt that we will find things we don’t like,” he commented. “But when we find them, we will change them.”

The supermarket giant will also extend the reach of its existing Tesco sustainable farming Groups to cover all proteins and potentially fruits, vegetables and salads. A new tesco agriculture director will lead the development of these groups and provide a single point of contact for the farming industry. An ‘unprecedented’ DNA testing programme on all batches of processed beef entering the supply chain will be implemented and an independent panel of experts will give guidance on improving the way the supply chain works in practice.

he admitted that Tesco haven’t always approached relationships with producers ‘in the true spirit of partnership’ but that he is determined to change that for the better.

“The commitments i have made today are genuine, and i expect to be held to account on them,” he said. “i expect you to test us and i expect you to tell us if we’re not delivering.”

BF&G CONFERENCE SPECIAL 7

Quizzing Tesco’s boss



CAP REFORM

IN A MISSION statement that

mirrored many of the NFU’s

campaigning calls on CAP, the

president of the European farmers union drove home the need

for a fair and practical reform.

Gerd Sonnleiter spoke of the need for an effective and

practical CAP that worked as well in the UK as it did in any

other country in the EU.

He echoed the need for land to remain in production, not to

be removed.

“We want a modern, dynamic agriculture that delivers for

farmers and the consumer,” he said.

“Our main concern in COPA is the economic position of

farming. They can’t provide for the population if they don’t

have confi dence.”

Mr Sonnleiter presides over the union that represents all of

the European farming unions and he said that he was pleased

that an EU budget had been agreed, adding that the CAP –

now more than 40-years-old – had proven to work.

But while that unifi ed approach has worked well as a

lobbying platform, individual countries should be allowed

fl exibility to implement the CAP in a way that allows each

country to compete.

“It makes no sense to apply the same rules to all farms

throughout Europe,” he said.

“We have been working hard with ministers to get a CAP

that’s practical and effective and we hope to reach agreement

by the end of June.”

Mr Sonnleiter added that Peter Kendall had made a big

difference in Europe with his lobbying on the European

food chain.

He also showed his anger at the horsemeat scandal: “It’s

unfortunate that the market is undermined by actions taken

higher up the food chain. This is unacceptable.”

REPRESENTATION IN EUROPECOPA president echoes calls from UK farming

FARMERS FIGHT FOR FAIR DEAL-----------------

United front on CAP reform

T HE NFU, CLA and TFA have joined forces to launch a joint position statement on proposals for the

greening of the CAP.The ‘Fair Deal for English Farmers’

sets out proposals the three organisations would like Defra to adopt when designing the delivery of greening at an English level.

NFU President Peter Kendall said the government needs to help farmers produce more food, not hinder.

“It’s a really important message to government, not just Defra - British farmers want to be treated fairly because we want to produce more and contribute to the economy,” he added.

CLA president Harry Cotterell said despite disagreements in the past, the three organisations stand � rm behind the list of proposals. And Jeremy Walker from the TFA agreed, stating that pillar one is important for tenant farmers, who are increasingly being demanded higher rents.“Greening is great - if you can afford it,” he said.

Fair Deal for English Farmers is made up of seven proposals, the � rst being that English farmers, like the rest of Europe, must have a choice of greening options, including access to all the applicable categories deemed ‘green by de� nition’ which grant farmers automatic entitlement to the

greening aid envisaged within the reform package.

Greening should not impose higher standards or compliance costs on English farmers than those in other UK regions or EU member states, and it should be implemented in a way that does not require land to be taken out of production.

Introducing a greening element into

pillar one removes the need to switch funds from pillar one to pillar two. The three organisations oppose modulation.

Other points include allowing farmers to opt out of participation in speci� c greening measures and consequently forego the 30 per cent of the new payment envisaged for greening within the new pillar one framework but without further penalty.


A PPLICATIONS FOR DAIRY farmers to become producer organisations will be taken from

April, David Heath has announced. “That means POs will be able to

negotiate contracts with buyers and I think that people will follow this route,” he told a packed room of dairy farmers.

The move completes an incredible year for the sector which, as the dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond outlined to the breakout session.

It was the incredible summer that started what could be a de� ning 12 months as more than 3,500 farmers went to London to protest at a double price cut from some of the country’s biggest dairy customers.

The media coverage associated with the #sosdairy campaign was valued at £4million and the pressure put on retailers saw some of the price cuts rescinded.

The shockwaves caused by the campaign also kick-started the full implementation of the voluntary code of practice which Dairy Crest, Arla, Muller Wiseman, First Milk and Lye Cross Farms had fully committed to at the time of writing.

“Let’s get this job done,” Mr Raymond said, adding that the NFU would be pushing for all milk buyers to be signed up to the code by the end of March.

The NFU’s chief dairy adviser Rob Newbery said the NFU was now taking the lead with a full dairy strategy being created.“We know the global dairy market is growing and the UK needs to keep pace with that,” he said, adding that the NFU will be having meetings with NGOs, milk buyers and retailers.

“This isn’t about the NFU telling the industry what to do,” he said. “It’s about growth and we’ll be working with DairyCo to put this strategy together and we’ll be launching it on 3 July. We want this to represent the whole industry so please get involved.”


BREAKOUT SESSIONS

THE NFU’S sugar board

chairman urged growers

to lobby hard for the

extension of the sugar regime past

2015 as part of the discussions in

the breakout session.

William Martin said that

the question of when the sugar

aspects of the Common Market Organisation will be abolished

still hangs in the air, but it could potentially be extended

until 2020. “Even in this late stage, we

should not be complacent - it is

worthwhile to lobby and do it

with enthusiasm,” he said.

He told growers that the

UK industry can be globally

COMMODITY BREAKOUT SESSIONS-----------------

Producer organisations con� rmed and the future of beet quotas

David Heath added that he was � rmly behind the voluntary code. “It’s about sharing risk and trust down the supply chain – that includes producers, processors, retailer and consumers.”

Mr Heath added that after the negotiations being made on the EU dairy package and that applications for dairy producer organisations would be taken as soon as 1 April for producers who wanted to go down that route.

DAIRY

SUGAR

competitive, but we need time and stability to be able to get

to this stage following the signifi cant upheaval of the industry

from the recent regulatory driven reforms of the sector.

The other element to the reform proposals which are of

serious concern to sugar beet farmers is the threat of weakening

their right to collective negotiation. This provides an important

balance which is paramount to ensure growers are not in a

signifi cantly disadvantaged in the supply chain.

“We need to maintain the pressure on MPs, MEPs, Defra etc.

to ensure their active support for the growers’ right of collective

negotiation and for this to continue while there is

a single processor to which growers sell their

crops. We question why these provisions would

be weakened when at the same time in

other sectors they are trying to restore

balance where it does not exist?”





p9-11_ConferenceSpecial_BreakoutSessions.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:19

A PPLICATIONS FOR DAIRY farmers to become producer organisations will be taken from

April, David Heath has announced. “That means POs will be able to

negotiate contracts with buyers and I think that people will follow this route,” he told a packed room of dairy farmers.

The move completes an incredible year for the sector which, as the dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond outlined to the breakout session.

It was the incredible summer that started what could be a de� ning 12 months as more than 3,500 farmers went to London to protest at a double price cut from some of the country’s biggest dairy customers.

The media coverage associated with the #sosdairy campaign was valued at £4million and the pressure put on retailers saw some of the price cuts rescinded.

The shockwaves caused by the campaign also kick-started the full implementation of the voluntary code of practice which Dairy Crest, Arla, Muller Wiseman, First Milk and Lye Cross Farms had fully committed to at the time of writing.

“Let’s get this job done,” Mr Raymond said, adding that the NFU would be pushing for all milk buyers to be signed up to the code by the end of March.

The NFU’s chief dairy adviser Rob Newbery said the NFU was now taking the lead with a full dairy strategy being created.“We know the global dairy market is growing and the UK needs to keep pace with that,” he said, adding that the NFU will be having meetings with NGOs, milk buyers and retailers.

“This isn’t about the NFU telling the industry what to do,” he said. “It’s about growth and we’ll be working with DairyCo to put this strategy together and we’ll be launching it on 3 July. We want this to represent the whole industry so please get involved.”


BREAKOUT SESSIONS

THE NFU’S sugar board

chairman urged growers

to lobby hard for the

extension of the sugar regime past

2015 as part of the discussions in

the breakout session.

William Martin said that

the question of when the sugar

aspects of the Common Market Organisation will be abolished

still hangs in the air, but it could potentially be extended

until 2020. “Even in this late stage, we

should not be complacent - it is

worthwhile to lobby and do it

with enthusiasm,” he said.

He told growers that the

UK industry can be globally

COMMODITY BREAKOUT SESSIONS-----------------

Producer organisations con� rmed and the future of beet quotas

David Heath added that he was � rmly behind the voluntary code. “It’s about sharing risk and trust down the supply chain – that includes producers, processors, retailer and consumers.”

Mr Heath added that after the negotiations being made on the EU dairy package and that applications for dairy producer organisations would be taken as soon as 1 April for producers who wanted to go down that route.

DAIRY

SUGAR

competitive, but we need time and stability to be able to get

to this stage following the signifi cant upheaval of the industry

from the recent regulatory driven reforms of the sector.

The other element to the reform proposals which are of

serious concern to sugar beet farmers is the threat of weakening

their right to collective negotiation. This provides an important

balance which is paramount to ensure growers are not in a

signifi cantly disadvantaged in the supply chain.

“We need to maintain the pressure on MPs, MEPs, Defra etc.

to ensure their active support for the growers’ right of collective

negotiation and for this to continue while there is

a single processor to which growers sell their










BREAKOUT SESSIONS

The technology to produce more with

less could already be in the field -

but only if understanding at farm

level and engineering play catch-up, an

NFU crops breakout session heard.

NFU Crops Development Programme

member Tom Paybody told delegates there

was ‘serious potential’ in the precision

farming techniques he saw in his day job with Co-operative

Farms, from inch-accurate GPS steering and auto shut-offs

on sprayers to yield mapping by satellite, or even by drone

aeroplane, direct-injection sprayers and nitrogen sensors.

But there was work to be done to overcome a lack of

knowledge transfer from the scientists in the lab to those

on the farm. The experts need to ‘get their wellies dirty’,

said Mr Paybody.

He added: “We’re generating lots of information, but my

concern is ‘are we using it properly’? If we don’t know the full

picture and we use precision farming technology, we are in

danger of trying to fine tune before we have the basics in place.”

Elsewhere he identified technologies where ‘we’ve got the

software, but the hardware is not quite up to spec yet’.

The Cambridgeshire farm manager added that changes in

public and governmental perception would also be crucial. He

said: “We need breeding and genomics to produce more with

less, whether it be to increase water efficiency or pest resistance,

and whether it’s GM or not.

“But ‘science’ in farming has sometimes become a dirty word

from the consumer point of view and unfortunately this can

follow through to legislators.

“We are a highly technological and innovative industry and

we need to get that across to the public.

“When we do events like Open Farm Sunday people are

hugely impressed at what we are doing - and we need them

with us if we are going to have all the tools that our global

competitors are going to have.”

T he poultry breakout session heard that the latest UK chick placings figures

are at their highest level for the last two decades at just under 35m birds.

NFU chief poultry adviser Kelly Watson told the group that 2012 has highlighted how difficult it was for increased production costs to be passed on to end customers in a very competitive market place with companies battling to maintain market share.

She said integration makes sense when there is enough margin for everyone but that volume sales do not mean profit in a rising costs scenario.

Chief economist Phil Bicknell outlined the global economic situation and the effect the US drought has had in pushing up grain prices. He predicted that cereal prices would remain high while there was still uncertainty in terms of spring plantings and

global commodity prices would ultimately be driven by global weather events.

Consumption of poultry meat in the UK has increased during the economic downturn with savy shoppers choosing it for its versatility and affordability.

Mr Bicknell said the weaker pound was helping exports but also meant energy prices would be higher.

The subject of sourcing non-GM soya for poultry rations was discussed with industry representatives reporting that in their routine mill PCR testing they were finding higher instances of GM grains contaminating non-GM grain loads. In 2010/11 37 per cent of cargoes showed a contamination level of more than 0.1 per cent. In 2012 that figure had shot up to 85 per cent of loads with 40 per cent of samples showing contamination of more than 0.9 per cent. It was not unheard of to have up to 40 per cent contamination in some loads. Meaning that not only is sourcing non-GM soya becoming increasingly difficult pushing premiums up to over £100 per tonne, but its integrity is also compromised.

On animal health and welfare, Mr Sercombe recognised the

massive importance to the industry in dealing with bovine TB

but added that other endemic diseases must not play second-

fiddle, and that BVD and sheep scab were key areas which need

coordinated action.

“But these are the tip of the iceberg and I’m sure we will

have to address many more endemic diseases as we protect our

livestock and the image of the industry. It will be essential that

farmers, the government, industry organisations, along with the

wider supply chain, join together to address these challenges.”

Mr Sercombe finished by issuing a rallying cry for the whole

industry to stand together to address all the challenges facing

the sector.

CROPS

POULTRY




BREAKOUT SESSIONS

THE LIVESTOCK SESSION

covered a multitude of

issues, revealing just

how tumultuous a year the sector

has experienced.

Livestock board chairman

Charles Sercombe said the past

12 months have seen record

prices for beef, whereas lamb is now well below the cost

of production.

“We have raised this concern with all the major retailers,”

he said. “This is a Europe wide issue and we’ve called for

an EU sheep summit in early March to work closely with

farmers across Europe.”

Mr Sercombe called for greater promotion of lamb throughout

Europe and a re-examination of the New Zealand import quota to

address the impact of cheap imports on European markets.

Regulation continues to be a problem for the sector, with the

lack of progress on livestock movement simplification and the

sheep database tender proving a particular issue. “Like everyone

else, I was dismayed the process has needed to be re-run,

especially as I believe it is essential that a more modern, efficient

and effective system is put in place to record sheep movements.

“Any changes must cost farmers no more than at present to

report movements and we expect government to continue to

cover the statutory costs indefinitely.”

HORTICULTURE

IT WAS a record turnout and a new format for

the horticulture workshop. Taking inspiration from BBC’s Question Time, the panel

of specialist growers looked at how the sector could manage its future.

The session was enhanced by attendance of retailer representatives from Waitrose and Sainsbury’s plus MEP Anthea McIntyre, who has recently worked with NFU soft fruit grower Anthony Snell on the future of SAWS.

Questions asked included those of fair value in the supply chain, how risk and reward balance could be improved and what was the identity of the Red Tractor is? And there were some raw truths exposed about the myths and reality of peat use, bee health and neonicotinoids by Dr Chris Hartfield.

The NFU’s chief horticulture and potatoes adviser, Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, said that inputs costs carried over from last year now cause real concern.

She said: “With the attractiveness of alternatives, such as wheat or oil seed rape, there’s a real risk that unless the economics of the horticulture sector improve, growers will choose to do other things.

“The latest Defra figures show that 61 per cent of growers made less than £30k in the past two years. This is why we launched Catalyst for Change. Strong supply chain partnerships have been advocated, not just by the NFU. Operating outside this relationship leaves businesses open to volatility. Retailers and processors need to step up and play their part.

LIVESTOCK

Signing up to the NFU’s Fruit and Veg Pledge is the right way to start.”

The future of SAWS was at the top of the agenda. The NFU’s annual labour survey will be published next month, but headline figures show that out of 206 growers questioned, every three and a half seasonal workers supports one full time UK permanent job. Ninety-five per cent said if the scheme ended it would have a negative impact on their businesses. A decision on SAWS will be taken by government in the spring.

NFU board chairman and brassica grower from Lincolnshire Sarah Dawson said: ”We’ve set out an ambitious agenda for growth because we can see the huge potential there is to increase home

production and displace imports.”Paul Simmonds, who runs the UK’s

largest single site glasshouse in Norfolk, said: “There’s confusion over whether the Red Tractor stands for provenance, assurance or both!”

The role of social media in educating consumers wasn’t ignored. Alison Capper said: “Social media has a huge role to play and there are benefits for farmers as long as what’s said is accurate. All farmers should tweet and use Facebook photos to show consumers what it’s all about, bringing our produce to life.”

Sarah Dawson summarised: “We can be proud that the produce grown in this country is the best in the world. It’s traceable, robust, integral and British.”


BREAKOUT SESSIONS

The technology to produce more with

less could already be in the field -

but only if understanding at farm

level and engineering play catch-up, an

NFU crops breakout session heard.

NFU Crops Development Programme

member Tom Paybody told delegates there

was ‘serious potential’ in the precision

farming techniques he saw in his day job with Co-operative

Farms, from inch-accurate GPS steering and auto shut-offs

on sprayers to yield mapping by satellite, or even by drone

aeroplane, direct-injection sprayers and nitrogen sensors.

But there was work to be done to overcome a lack of

knowledge transfer from the scientists in the lab to those

on the farm. The experts need to ‘get their wellies dirty’,

said Mr Paybody.

He added: “We’re generating lots of information, but my

concern is ‘are we using it properly’? If we don’t know the full

picture and we use precision farming technology, we are in

danger of trying to fine tune before we have the basics in place.”

Elsewhere he identified technologies where ‘we’ve got the

software, but the hardware is not quite up to spec yet’.

The Cambridgeshire farm manager added that changes in

public and governmental perception would also be crucial. He

said: “We need breeding and genomics to produce more with

less, whether it be to increase water efficiency or pest resistance,

and whether it’s GM or not.

“But ‘science’ in farming has sometimes become a dirty word

from the consumer point of view and unfortunately this can

follow through to legislators.

“We are a highly technological and innovative industry and

we need to get that across to the public.

“When we do events like Open Farm Sunday people are

hugely impressed at what we are doing - and we need them

with us if we are going to have all the tools that our global

competitors are going to have.”

T he poultry breakout session heard that the latest UK chick placings figures

are at their highest level for the last two decades at just under 35m birds.

NFU chief poultry adviser Kelly Watson told the group that 2012 has highlighted how difficult it was for increased production costs to be passed on to end customers in a very competitive market place with companies battling to maintain market share.

She said integration makes sense when there is enough margin for everyone but that volume sales do not mean profit in a rising costs scenario.

Chief economist Phil Bicknell outlined the global economic situation and the effect the US drought has had in pushing up grain prices. He predicted that cereal prices would remain high while there was still uncertainty in terms of spring plantings and

global commodity prices would ultimately be driven by global weather events.

Consumption of poultry meat in the UK has increased during the economic downturn with savy shoppers choosing it for its versatility and affordability.

Mr Bicknell said the weaker pound was helping exports but also meant energy prices would be higher.

The subject of sourcing non-GM soya for poultry rations was discussed with industry representatives reporting that in their routine mill PCR testing they were finding higher instances of GM grains contaminating non-GM grain loads. In 2010/11 37 per cent of cargoes showed a contamination level of more than 0.1 per cent. In 2012 that figure had shot up to 85 per cent of loads with 40 per cent of samples showing contamination of more than 0.9 per cent. It was not unheard of to have up to 40 per cent contamination in some loads. Meaning that not only is sourcing non-GM soya becoming increasingly difficult pushing premiums up to over £100 per tonne, but its integrity is also compromised.

On animal health and welfare, Mr Sercombe recognised the

massive importance to the industry in dealing with bovine TB

but added that other endemic diseases must not play second-

fiddle, and that BVD and sheep scab were key areas which need

coordinated action.

“But these are the tip of the iceberg and I’m sure we will

have to address many more endemic diseases as we protect our

livestock and the image of the industry. It will be essential that

farmers, the government, industry organisations, along with the

wider supply chain, join together to address these challenges.”

Mr Sercombe finished by issuing a rallying cry for the whole

industry to stand together to address all the challenges facing

the sector.

CROPS

POULTRY




BREAKOUT SESSIONS

THE LIVESTOCK SESSION

covered a multitude of

issues, revealing just

how tumultuous a year the sector

has experienced.

Livestock board chairman

Charles Sercombe said the past

12 months have seen record

prices for beef, whereas lamb is now well below the cost

of production.

“We have raised this concern with all the major retailers,”

he said. “This is a Europe wide issue and we’ve called for

an EU sheep summit in early March to work closely with

farmers across Europe.”

Mr Sercombe called for greater promotion of lamb throughout

Europe and a re-examination of the New Zealand import quota to

address the impact of cheap imports on European markets.

Regulation continues to be a problem for the sector, with the

lack of progress on livestock movement simplification and the

sheep database tender proving a particular issue. “Like everyone

else, I was dismayed the process has needed to be re-run,

especially as I believe it is essential that a more modern, efficient

and effective system is put in place to record sheep movements.

“Any changes must cost farmers no more than at present to

report movements and we expect government to continue to

cover the statutory costs indefinitely.”

HORTICULTURE

IT WAS a record turnout and a new format for

the horticulture workshop. Taking inspiration from BBC’s Question Time, the panel

of specialist growers looked at how the sector could manage its future.

The session was enhanced by attendance of retailer representatives from Waitrose and Sainsbury’s plus MEP Anthea McIntyre, who has recently worked with NFU soft fruit grower Anthony Snell on the future of SAWS.

Questions asked included those of fair value in the supply chain, how risk and reward balance could be improved and what was the identity of the Red Tractor is? And there were some raw truths exposed about the myths and reality of peat use, bee health and neonicotinoids by Dr Chris Hartfield.

The NFU’s chief horticulture and potatoes adviser, Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, said that inputs costs carried over from last year now cause real concern.

She said: “With the attractiveness of alternatives, such as wheat or oil seed rape, there’s a real risk that unless the economics of the horticulture sector improve, growers will choose to do other things.

“The latest Defra figures show that 61 per cent of growers made less than £30k in the past two years. This is why we launched Catalyst for Change. Strong supply chain partnerships have been advocated, not just by the NFU. Operating outside this relationship leaves businesses open to volatility. Retailers and processors need to step up and play their part.

LIVESTOCK

Signing up to the NFU’s Fruit and Veg Pledge is the right way to start.”

The future of SAWS was at the top of the agenda. The NFU’s annual labour survey will be published next month, but headline figures show that out of 206 growers questioned, every three and a half seasonal workers supports one full time UK permanent job. Ninety-five per cent said if the scheme ended it would have a negative impact on their businesses. A decision on SAWS will be taken by government in the spring.

NFU board chairman and brassica grower from Lincolnshire Sarah Dawson said: ”We’ve set out an ambitious agenda for growth because we can see the huge potential there is to increase home

production and displace imports.”Paul Simmonds, who runs the UK’s

largest single site glasshouse in Norfolk, said: “There’s confusion over whether the Red Tractor stands for provenance, assurance or both!”

The role of social media in educating consumers wasn’t ignored. Alison Capper said: “Social media has a huge role to play and there are benefits for farmers as long as what’s said is accurate. All farmers should tweet and use Facebook photos to show consumers what it’s all about, bringing our produce to life.”

Sarah Dawson summarised: “We can be proud that the produce grown in this country is the best in the world. It’s traceable, robust, integral and British.”


T he next CAP should take into consideration future generations of farmers to ensure the long-term

security of the industry, said the chairman of the nFU next Generation Policy Forum.

William Lawrence said: “the next Generation Policy Forum is determined to make sure that future generations of farmers have their voices heard during the CAP negotiations.

“We believe pillar two should be used more effectively encouraging young skilled farmers in the hope that they will be less dependent on public support. to that end the nGPF support the idea of a young entrant scheme.”

this would group the relevant measures already in the rural development regulation with some new ideas to improve transparency and allow young farmers access to funding.

“With leaked figures of the new CAP budget showing that UK will see a 22 per cent reduction for rural development, it is crucial to make the most out of the scarce financial resources available. the aim of


BREAKOUT SESSIONS

the scheme is to support viable and profitable businesses that will play a crucial role in the future of UK agriculture.”

But the industry needs to help itself more, especially with regards to its ‘chronic problem’ with succession.

“We have decided to tackle this complicated issue because farming has an ageing population, and there is a clear need for restructuring of the industry to allow some to retire and others to take up the reins. the individual complexities of each situation mean that there is no one size fits all solution.”

he added that the Forum would like Defra to create special advice on retirement and succession as a distinct component within the advisory services under the Rural Development Programme.

“this service would guide farmers to pass their activity to the next generation and would fit and complete the Forum’s idea of a Young entrant Scheme in the second pillar,” he concluded.

CAP ShOUld CONSIdER fUTURE gENERATIONS

-----------------

ensuring the voice of young farmers is heard GAIL SOUTAR told delegates

that unofficial, leaked data

doing the rounds in Brussels

had allowed NFU experts to put the

possible impact on pillar one direct

payments into numbers.

“The team estimates that the pot of

money available will be cut by 10 per

cent in real terms,” said the NFU’s CAP

expert, adding that this would leave

UK farmers below the EU average and

behind key rivals.

She added that the cut to ‘pillar

two’ funds (agri-environment and rural

development) could be 22 per cent on

the 2013 budget, putting the UK at the

very bottom of the EU pile.

“Did the UK go looking for a fair

allocation or did it focus its whole

strategy on being able to move money

from from pillar one to two?” she said.

For the NFU, the leeway for

member states to make such a move –

to the tune of 15 per cent of the single

farm payment funding – is without

justification, especially in light of

controversial plans for the greening of

pillar one.

Discussion of that element of the

proposals brought brighter news in the

shape of ‘significant changes’ to the

original Commission plans from MEPs,

particularly an exemption from the

arable greening measures for

those with 75 per cent or more

permanent pasture.

But real concerns remain, said Ms

Soutar, particularly noises from Defra

that implementation might take the

shape of a single delivery method

‘similar to ELS’ – which could deprive

English farmers of options open

to their rivals and impose more

onerous standards.

Defra CAP strategist Martin Nesbitt

said a final agreement in June will be

reliant on the European Parliament

formally adopting its CAP reform

position next month. There was a ‘big

question mark’ on that timeframe but

member states would have 18 months

to implement plans.

CAP STATEOF PLAY

Putting meat on the bones

p13-14_ConferenceSpecial_workshops.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:52

T he next CAP should take into consideration future generations of farmers to ensure the long-term

security of the industry, said the chairman of the nFU next Generation Policy Forum.

William Lawrence said: “the next Generation Policy Forum is determined to make sure that future generations of farmers have their voices heard during the CAP negotiations.

“We believe pillar two should be used more effectively encouraging young skilled farmers in the hope that they will be less dependent on public support. to that end the nGPF support the idea of a young entrant scheme.”

this would group the relevant measures already in the rural development regulation with some new ideas to improve transparency and allow young farmers access to funding.

“With leaked figures of the new CAP budget showing that UK will see a 22 per cent reduction for rural development, it is crucial to make the most out of the scarce financial resources available. the aim of


BREAKOUT SESSIONS

the scheme is to support viable and profitable businesses that will play a crucial role in the future of UK agriculture.”

But the industry needs to help itself more, especially with regards to its ‘chronic problem’ with succession.

“We have decided to tackle this complicated issue because farming has an ageing population, and there is a clear need for restructuring of the industry to allow some to retire and others to take up the reins. the individual complexities of each situation mean that there is no one size fits all solution.”

he added that the Forum would like Defra to create special advice on retirement and succession as a distinct component within the advisory services under the Rural Development Programme.

“this service would guide farmers to pass their activity to the next generation and would fit and complete the Forum’s idea of a Young entrant Scheme in the second pillar,” he concluded.

CAP ShOUld CONSIdER fUTURE gENERATIONS

-----------------

ensuring the voice of young farmers is heard GAIL SOUTAR told delegates

that unofficial, leaked data

doing the rounds in Brussels

had allowed NFU experts to put the

possible impact on pillar one direct

payments into numbers.

“The team estimates that the pot of

money available will be cut by 10 per

cent in real terms,” said the NFU’s CAP

expert, adding that this would leave

UK farmers below the EU average and

behind key rivals.

She added that the cut to ‘pillar

two’ funds (agri-environment and rural

development) could be 22 per cent on

the 2013 budget, putting the UK at the

very bottom of the EU pile.

“Did the UK go looking for a fair

allocation or did it focus its whole

strategy on being able to move money

from from pillar one to two?” she said.

For the NFU, the leeway for

member states to make such a move –

to the tune of 15 per cent of the single

farm payment funding – is without

justification, especially in light of

controversial plans for the greening of

pillar one.

Discussion of that element of the

proposals brought brighter news in the

shape of ‘significant changes’ to the

original Commission plans from MEPs,

particularly an exemption from the

arable greening measures for

those with 75 per cent or more

permanent pasture.

But real concerns remain, said Ms

Soutar, particularly noises from Defra

that implementation might take the

shape of a single delivery method

‘similar to ELS’ – which could deprive

English farmers of options open

to their rivals and impose more

onerous standards.

Defra CAP strategist Martin Nesbitt

said a final agreement in June will be

reliant on the European Parliament

formally adopting its CAP reform

position next month. There was a ‘big

question mark’ on that timeframe but

member states would have 18 months

to implement plans.

CAP STATEOF PLAY

Putting meat on the bones



BREAKOUT SESSIONS

UPLANDS REPORT

-----------------

BEES-----------------

CONFIDENCE-----------------

Keeping livestocK on the hills is key to maintaining the character of the upland areas of england and Wales, the nFU said.

A new report entitled Farming Delivers for the Hills and Uplands, launched at the conference, set out how sheep and cattle has shaped this country’s iconic landscapes and communities.

the report was backed up by a policy document outlining nFU commitment to the uplands and the priority areas of: cAp, climate change, and relationships with agricultural shareholders.

nFU hill and upland chairman, Robin Milton, said: “there has been a lot of uncertainty facing hill farmers over the past 12 months.”

oWen pAteRson has urged the eU Health commissioner not to rush into a decision on the use of neonicitinoids.

the Defra secretary wants a decision to be based on data gathered in a field, not in a laboratory.

“We are assessing field data using real bees, real fields and real conditions and i hope there will be no rushed decision before our field data is published.

“We’ve always got to look at the impact of a very significant reduction in yields and the dangers of a fall back on older pesticides developed in the 60s and 70s.”

FOR THE HILLSAND UPLANDS

tHe session entitled Farming Delivers for the consumer was unsurprisingly dominated by the ongoing horsemeat scandal.

Kate Jones, head of co-operative Farms admitted the company had let down both farmers and customers.

to make amends, the organisation has committed to stringent DnA testing.

“Britishness delivers for worried consumers,” she said. “Higher welfare and value for money are key for our customers. We are confident that British farming delivers.”

shadow Food and Farming Minister, Huw irranca Davies, said labour will seek views on food policy in the next few months and urged farmers to take part.

“the holy grail of food production can be summed up in three parts. it must be affordable, with wider environmental and social benefits and food security. the best of British produce can help feed domestic and international demand.”



BREAKOUT SESSIONS

UPLANDS REPORT

-----------------

BEES-----------------

CONFIDENCE-----------------

Keeping livestocK on the hills is key to maintaining the character of the upland areas of england and Wales, the nFU said.

A new report entitled Farming Delivers for the Hills and Uplands, launched at the conference, set out how sheep and cattle has shaped this country’s iconic landscapes and communities.

the report was backed up by a policy document outlining nFU commitment to the uplands and the priority areas of: cAp, climate change, and relationships with agricultural shareholders.

nFU hill and upland chairman, Robin Milton, said: “there has been a lot of uncertainty facing hill farmers over the past 12 months.”

oWen pAteRson has urged the eU Health commissioner not to rush into a decision on the use of neonicitinoids.

the Defra secretary wants a decision to be based on data gathered in a field, not in a laboratory.

“We are assessing field data using real bees, real fields and real conditions and i hope there will be no rushed decision before our field data is published.

“We’ve always got to look at the impact of a very significant reduction in yields and the dangers of a fall back on older pesticides developed in the 60s and 70s.”

FOR THE HILLSAND UPLANDS

tHe session entitled Farming Delivers for the consumer was unsurprisingly dominated by the ongoing horsemeat scandal.

Kate Jones, head of co-operative Farms admitted the company had let down both farmers and customers.

to make amends, the organisation has committed to stringent DnA testing.

“Britishness delivers for worried consumers,” she said. “Higher welfare and value for money are key for our customers. We are confident that British farming delivers.”

shadow Food and Farming Minister, Huw irranca Davies, said labour will seek views on food policy in the next few months and urged farmers to take part.

“the holy grail of food production can be summed up in three parts. it must be affordable, with wider environmental and social benefits and food security. the best of British produce can help feed domestic and international demand.”


B y 11am on day one #NFU13 was ‘trending’ as the most used hashtag on Twitter in the UK, and by midday it was trending as the top Twitter hashtag in the world.

In its first 24 hours, the hashtag was tweeted nearly 15,000 times, by over 5,200 users, reaching an audience of 1.8m on the social networking site. attempts by anti-cull protestors to ‘sabotage’ the hashtag failed as its use continued to soar over the second day, with an added 2,000 people tweeting an extra 5,500 tweets.

Building on the growth of the agricultural community on social media, delegates and press used the hashtag to break news, tweet photos and videos, and update those unable to attend. Farmers, consumers and others in the industry used it to communicate with those at conference and input their thoughts, journalists used it to arrange interviews with delegates, and delegates used it to find each other and meet people in person for the first time.

a key moment on the first day came during Tesco CEO Philip Clarke’s speech, when a flurry of tweets occurred as delegates and press rushed to break the news about his promise of two year contracts for UK suppliers. Within five minutes, two hundred tweets had been sent, and his speech overall created the biggest spike in Twitter activity all day.

The increasing importance of social media was reflected in the conference agenda, with the NFU staging it’s first ever social media workshop on the second day.

Delegates were told how they could benefit from using Twitter. Not only does the site allow users to chat with other farmers, it could also serve as a powerful tool for promoting businesses and allows users to keep up to date with organisations such as the NFU and their campaigns.


SOCIAL MEDIA

SOCIALMEDIA

-----------------

with Jez Fredenburgh

p17_ConferenceSpecial_socialmedia.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:13


EXPERT VIEW

T HE HORSEMEAT scandal has been devastating for the food industry but it could also present an opportunity for farmers, according to IGD chief executive Joanne

Denney-Finch.“As an industry we are judged by our lowest common

denominator and millions of people feel let down by their food,” she said. But this difficulty could be turned into a great opportunity.

Ms Denney-Finch told delegates that the UK has one of the most rigorous food testing regimes in the world which uncovered the recent scandal and our response to it has been swift and decisive.

She said that consumers’ faith in their food has been dented but farmers are still one of the most trusted professions in the country and farming has a good story to tell to shoppers. She urged farmers to speak out about their work but warned people not to point the finger of blame for the horsemeat scandal before all the evidence is in.

“We know that trust can be lost in an instant. It’s closely linked with other words like ‘expectation’, ‘guarantee’, ‘dependence’, ‘reliability’, ‘assurance’ and ‘integrity’ – all words to describe the bedrock of any good business.”

BUSINESS-----------------

IGD chief executive

Joanne Denney-Finch

ECONOMY-----------------

CBI director general

John Cridland

JOHN CRIDLAND CBE said he sees ‘signs of progress’ in the economy, despite continuing volatility.

The Director General of CBI said the economy has felt tough since 2008 because it is tough.

“Tough has become the new normal,” he added. “Rebalancing the

economy from debt to investment is like detox.”However, he sees signs of progress and believes that although

the government is taking action, there is more it could do.Mr Cridland suggested three actions the Chancellor should

take moving forwards. The first is to stick to the plan of paying off the deficit as there is no practical alternative.

“You need to give real signals to consumers and businesses that boost confidence – because at the moment confidence is key,” he added.

And finally, he suggested transferring more current spending to capital spending.

“Consumers need you,” he told the packed room of farmers. “You were never more needed. But at the time you’ve never been more needed, you’ve ever been less trusted.

“If you want to be trusted we have to ensure the core thing we do is deliver for our consumers and our communities.”

LIVESTOCK FARMERS were told that

Schmallenberg is a young disease and

we are are still learning about it.

Defra’s deputy chief veterinary officer,

Alick Simmons, said that signs of infection,

if not the actual disease, have been traced

in every rural county in England and there

are indications that it has been found in

Cumbria and Scotland.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate

has taken the unprecedented step of

revealing an approach by a manufacturer

for a veterinary medicine marketing

authorisation for a potential vaccine.

Reports from Europe show that farms

that were infected last year were not hit

this year, which suggests natural immunity

could afford some protection. At this stage

it is not clear how strong this immunity

is or how long it lasts. But Mr Simmons

said that ewes that were exposed to

Schmallenberg last July should be ‘solidly

immune’ before going to the tup.

NFU Vice President Adam Quinney

told people to report any incidences of

the disease to their vets to keep up the

pressure on pharmaceutical firms to

develop a vaccine.

On TB, Michael Seals of the Animal

Health and Welfare Board said that there

is no magic bullet for its eradication. One

delegate raised the issue of the 30,000

alpacas in this country which are not

subject to testing or movement restrictions.

Lee McDonagh of Defra said that

camelids were considered an ‘overspill’

species that could contract TB from other

species but only gave it to other alpacas.

The subject of sheep scab was raised

with one farmer saying that there was a

stigma in admitting that your sheep were

infected. But that effective treatment was

not possible unless there are movement

restrictions and blanket treatment of

livestock.

Mr Seals said: “You are not a bad farmer

if you get sheep scab but you are a bad

farmer if you don’t treat it.”

Clive Davis of Worcestershire called for

a national database to make the industry

more efficient and to share information.

CAP STATE OF PLAYPutting meat on the bones

p16_ConferenceSpecial_Economic&business.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:31

B y 11am on day one #NFU13 was ‘trending’ as the most used hashtag on Twitter in the UK, and by midday it was trending as the top Twitter hashtag in the world.

In its first 24 hours, the hashtag was tweeted nearly 15,000 times, by over 5,200 users, reaching an audience of 1.8m on the social networking site. attempts by anti-cull protestors to ‘sabotage’ the hashtag failed as its use continued to soar over the second day, with an added 2,000 people tweeting an extra 5,500 tweets.

Building on the growth of the agricultural community on social media, delegates and press used the hashtag to break news, tweet photos and videos, and update those unable to attend. Farmers, consumers and others in the industry used it to communicate with those at conference and input their thoughts, journalists used it to arrange interviews with delegates, and delegates used it to find each other and meet people in person for the first time.

a key moment on the first day came during Tesco CEO Philip Clarke’s speech, when a flurry of tweets occurred as delegates and press rushed to break the news about his promise of two year contracts for UK suppliers. Within five minutes, two hundred tweets had been sent, and his speech overall created the biggest spike in Twitter activity all day.

The increasing importance of social media was reflected in the conference agenda, with the NFU staging it’s first ever social media workshop on the second day.

Delegates were told how they could benefit from using Twitter. Not only does the site allow users to chat with other farmers, it could also serve as a powerful tool for promoting businesses and allows users to keep up to date with organisations such as the NFU and their campaigns.


SOCIAL MEDIA

SOCIALMEDIA

-----------------

with Jez Fredenburgh

p17_ConferenceSpecial_socialmedia.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:13


EXPERT VIEW

T HE HORSEMEAT scandal has been devastating for the food industry but it could also present an opportunity for farmers, according to IGD chief executive Joanne

Denney-Finch.“As an industry we are judged by our lowest common

denominator and millions of people feel let down by their food,” she said. But this difficulty could be turned into a great opportunity.

Ms Denney-Finch told delegates that the UK has one of the most rigorous food testing regimes in the world which uncovered the recent scandal and our response to it has been swift and decisive.

She said that consumers’ faith in their food has been dented but farmers are still one of the most trusted professions in the country and farming has a good story to tell to shoppers. She urged farmers to speak out about their work but warned people not to point the finger of blame for the horsemeat scandal before all the evidence is in.

“We know that trust can be lost in an instant. It’s closely linked with other words like ‘expectation’, ‘guarantee’, ‘dependence’, ‘reliability’, ‘assurance’ and ‘integrity’ – all words to describe the bedrock of any good business.”

BUSINESS-----------------

IGD chief executive

Joanne Denney-Finch

ECONOMY-----------------

CBI director general

John Cridland

JOHN CRIDLAND CBE said he sees ‘signs of progress’ in the economy, despite continuing volatility.

The Director General of CBI said the economy has felt tough since 2008 because it is tough.

“Tough has become the new normal,” he added. “Rebalancing the

economy from debt to investment is like detox.”However, he sees signs of progress and believes that although

the government is taking action, there is more it could do.Mr Cridland suggested three actions the Chancellor should

take moving forwards. The first is to stick to the plan of paying off the deficit as there is no practical alternative.

“You need to give real signals to consumers and businesses that boost confidence – because at the moment confidence is key,” he added.

And finally, he suggested transferring more current spending to capital spending.

“Consumers need you,” he told the packed room of farmers. “You were never more needed. But at the time you’ve never been more needed, you’ve ever been less trusted.

“If you want to be trusted we have to ensure the core thing we do is deliver for our consumers and our communities.”

LIVESTOCK FARMERS were told that

Schmallenberg is a young disease and

we are are still learning about it.

Defra’s deputy chief veterinary officer,

Alick Simmons, said that signs of infection,

if not the actual disease, have been traced

in every rural county in England and there

are indications that it has been found in

Cumbria and Scotland.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate

has taken the unprecedented step of

revealing an approach by a manufacturer

for a veterinary medicine marketing

authorisation for a potential vaccine.

Reports from Europe show that farms

that were infected last year were not hit

this year, which suggests natural immunity

could afford some protection. At this stage

it is not clear how strong this immunity

is or how long it lasts. But Mr Simmons

said that ewes that were exposed to

Schmallenberg last July should be ‘solidly

immune’ before going to the tup.

NFU Vice President Adam Quinney

told people to report any incidences of

the disease to their vets to keep up the

pressure on pharmaceutical firms to

develop a vaccine.

On TB, Michael Seals of the Animal

Health and Welfare Board said that there

is no magic bullet for its eradication. One

delegate raised the issue of the 30,000

alpacas in this country which are not

subject to testing or movement restrictions.

Lee McDonagh of Defra said that

camelids were considered an ‘overspill’

species that could contract TB from other

species but only gave it to other alpacas.

The subject of sheep scab was raised

with one farmer saying that there was a

stigma in admitting that your sheep were

infected. But that effective treatment was

not possible unless there are movement

restrictions and blanket treatment of

livestock.

Mr Seals said: “You are not a bad farmer

if you get sheep scab but you are a bad

farmer if you don’t treat it.”

Clive Davis of Worcestershire called for

a national database to make the industry

more efficient and to share information.

CAP STATE OF PLAYPutting meat on the bones

p16_ConferenceSpecial_Economic&business.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:31

SOLAR POWER is still a great opportunity for farmers and can get you returns of up to £850 an

acre if the site is right. That’s according to Jonathan Selwyn

from Lark Energy who said that the UK is now a ‘significant player’ in the world solar market. But he urged caution that farmers should chose the right location for PV installations, be it ground or roof mounted.

His company is in the process of building 30MW solar farms in Leicestershire and Suffolk but has had problems with applications where neighbours have made objections.

“It’s a good time to look at solar but do your homework,” he said. “There is overwhelming support for solar and the UK is now a major player.”


RENEWABLES

Germany leads the way in Europe with a capacity approching 35GW already installed. When the sun shines, up to 25 per cent of the country’s electricity is produced from PV panels.

Mr Selwyn said that one of the big issues facing the solar industry in the next 12 months would be scaremongering in national newspapers.

“It’s about location,” he said. “We are hearing about quite a few rejections and that’s to do with choosing the right location.”

On renewable heat, Chris Miles from British Gas said that the company had installed 20MW of renewable heat systems in 2012.

He added at unlike solar, the renewable heat incentive would grow more slowly and was less likely to have a

GREEN ENERGY SECTOR SET TO CONTINUE ITS GROWTH

-----------------

Farmers given update on solar, the RHI and grid connection

boom, bust and boom trajectory. “DECC forecasts that 12 per cent

of the £33bn annual heat market will be from renewable sources by 2020,” he said. “The big issue will be a long-term commitment from government.”

Olivia Powis from OFGEM said that the regulator was working with distribution network operators (DNOs) to improve the process for farmers want to connect to the grid.

She said that OFGEM was pushing for a guaranteed standard of performance, a better application process and improvements in customer service from the DNOs.

“If you’re having a problem with your DNO then find out who it is and come to us,” she said.

Opportunities are great but the location of

your installation is key to the success of

the application.

It’s been a slow start but expect steady

growth in the future, not like the

rollercoaster ride of solar.

DNOs and farmers are not used to working

together so OFGEM is working to improve

the interaction between the two parties.

SOLAR RENEWABLE HEAT GRID CONNECTION

p19_ConferenceSpecial_renewables.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:58

SOLAR POWER is still a great opportunity for farmers and can get you returns of up to £850 an

acre if the site is right. That’s according to Jonathan Selwyn

from Lark Energy who said that the UK is now a ‘significant player’ in the world solar market. But he urged caution that farmers should chose the right location for PV installations, be it ground or roof mounted.

His company is in the process of building 30MW solar farms in Leicestershire and Suffolk but has had problems with applications where neighbours have made objections.

“It’s a good time to look at solar but do your homework,” he said. “There is overwhelming support for solar and the UK is now a major player.”


RENEWABLES

Germany leads the way in Europe with a capacity approching 35GW already installed. When the sun shines, up to 25 per cent of the country’s electricity is produced from PV panels.

Mr Selwyn said that one of the big issues facing the solar industry in the next 12 months would be scaremongering in national newspapers.

“It’s about location,” he said. “We are hearing about quite a few rejections and that’s to do with choosing the right location.”

On renewable heat, Chris Miles from British Gas said that the company had installed 20MW of renewable heat systems in 2012.

He added at unlike solar, the renewable heat incentive would grow more slowly and was less likely to have a

GREEN ENERGY SECTOR SET TO CONTINUE ITS GROWTH

-----------------

Farmers given update on solar, the RHI and grid connection

boom, bust and boom trajectory. “DECC forecasts that 12 per cent

of the £33bn annual heat market will be from renewable sources by 2020,” he said. “The big issue will be a long-term commitment from government.”

Olivia Powis from OFGEM said that the regulator was working with distribution network operators (DNOs) to improve the process for farmers want to connect to the grid.

She said that OFGEM was pushing for a guaranteed standard of performance, a better application process and improvements in customer service from the DNOs.

“If you’re having a problem with your DNO then find out who it is and come to us,” she said.

Opportunities are great but the location of

your installation is key to the success of

the application.

It’s been a slow start but expect steady

growth in the future, not like the

rollercoaster ride of solar.

DNOs and farmers are not used to working

together so OFGEM is working to improve

the interaction between the two parties.

SOLAR RENEWABLE HEAT GRID CONNECTION

p19_ConferenceSpecial_renewables.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:58


PHOTOBOOK

MerchandiseFor the fi rst time at an NFU

Conference, delegates could

purchase NFU merchandise

Shropshire PetalsMichael and Rose Bubb from

Shropshire Petals provided the

beautiful table decorations

Farm Energy ServiceMembers could learn more about

the NFU Farm Energy Service

NFU CountrysideNFU Countryside had a stand

to showcase the work it does to

campaign for the NFU.

As a special conference offer,

NFU members can sign up for six free

copies of the Countryside magazine to

get a taste of what we do.

For full details and to sign up

contact 0870 840 2030.

Farming DeliversJohnny Ball unveiled the new wrap

for the Farming Delivers roadshow

HeadlinesPresident Peter

Kendall being

interviewed for

Sky News - just

one of the news

outlets covering

the conference

p21_ConferenceSpecial_photobook.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:21


PHOTOBOOK

MerchandiseFor the fi rst time at an NFU

Conference, delegates could

purchase NFU merchandise

Shropshire PetalsMichael and Rose Bubb from

Shropshire Petals provided the

beautiful table decorations

Farm Energy ServiceMembers could learn more about

the NFU Farm Energy Service

NFU CountrysideNFU Countryside had a stand

to showcase the work it does to

campaign for the NFU.

As a special conference offer,

NFU members can sign up for six free

copies of the Countryside magazine to

get a taste of what we do.

For full details and to sign up

contact 0870 840 2030.

Farming DeliversJohnny Ball unveiled the new wrap

for the Farming Delivers roadshow

HeadlinesPresident Peter

Kendall being

interviewed for

Sky News - just

one of the news

outlets covering

the conference

p21_ConferenceSpecial_photobook.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:21


IN CONCLUSION

MATTHEW NAYLOR-----------------

The view from the floor

T he build up to the NFu’s 2013 conference went magnificently well. News coverage in the morning was so extensive that it was featured on every broadcast medium

from bbC1 to 5 live. Peter Kendall’s place on this year’s Strictly Come dancing is surely in the bag.

in the light of horsegate, Red Tractor producers are currently the heroes of the high street. There were a few protestors outside who hadn’t received this particular memo but, badger chants

aside, the conference definitely started on the front hoof. Peter Kendall’s address made the most of the situation. he stressed the need for fairer supply chains, for stronger support for home production and for equal CAP payments across the eu. it all sounded so reasonable that he sounded more like the voice of reason than the head of a lobbying organisation.

There were no surprises in Owen Paterson’s address. he didn’t dodge bullets about GM or the badger cull. he talked about the pilot cull with such boldness, in fact, that one feared for his safety getting back to his ministerial car. eagle-eyed delegates would have spotted that he was wearing a mysterious green charity wristband. it was hard to read the inscription but one observer thought it said ‘Jesus loves GM potatoes’.

The talking point of the day was the paper delivered by Tesco’s Philip Clarke. Short of wearing a hair shirt, eating a plate of humble-flavoured ‘meat’ pie he couldn’t have given a more contrite performance. My mind kept recalling the footage of Saddam hussein when he was captured by the allied forces; this too being a memorable image of a powerful and much-feared figure climbing out of a hole someone had dug for him. in the face of this, the questions for Mr Clarke from farmers on the floor displayed unseemly hostility. Thankfully Meurig Raymond chaired the session with his characteristic calm, courtesy and good grace. The industry had been let down but uncle Meurig resisted the urge to go for cheap point scoring.

The conference set the tone for a new farming era. After a year from hell, there are plenty of farmers who need good news. Farming will always involve taking gambles but the conference signalled that the industry is finally holding a strong hand of cards.

bbSRCland RoverM&SMoy ParkAbP bOCM Pauls

Woodland Trust GrowhowVion Food Group RPANFu CountrysideAssured Food Standards

Farm Africabright CropAvonline broadbandR.A.b.i South Staffordshire College

And thanks to our other supporters:

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

THE LAST WORD

You agreed with most of what

Owen Paterson had to say, what

about the issues that you didn’t

see eye to eye on?

It was incredibly frustrating that the

Secretary of State was wanting to hark

back to an era of coupled payments

and food mountains when the NFU

has worked hard to drive a more

market-focused CAP. The industry is

really up for seeing how we do all the

environmental work but pillar one

money has been a lifeblood of the

farming industry.

Philip Clarke was contrite in the

way he explained Tesco’s role in

addressing the horsemeat saga -

is it about delivery now?

The timing of having Philip Clarke at

this event with all the media coverage

that he had done around the Tesco

announcement was really important.

But, as farmers, are we sceptical

about working with supermarkets?

Of course we are. But 58p in every

pound is now spent in supermarkets,

and the supermarkets are our biggest

and most important customers. Philip

made some serious pledges. Our role

is now to go through the details of

the proposals and to work with our

specialists to create contracts that are

fair and balanced. But crucially, I want

every sector to hold them to account.

If we pull this off it will be massive

because of the scale of Tesco.

And what about all the media

coverage this conference got?

The coverage was unprecedented. It

shows that we’re taking the messages

our to the public. If we get our

message right – that we are passionate

farmers producing world-class food –

we can make a real difference.

with Peter Kendall

p22_ConferenceSpecial_behindthescenes.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:23


IN CONCLUSION

MATTHEW NAYLOR-----------------

The view from the floor

T he build up to the NFu’s 2013 conference went magnificently well. News coverage in the morning was so extensive that it was featured on every broadcast medium

from bbC1 to 5 live. Peter Kendall’s place on this year’s Strictly Come dancing is surely in the bag.

in the light of horsegate, Red Tractor producers are currently the heroes of the high street. There were a few protestors outside who hadn’t received this particular memo but, badger chants

aside, the conference definitely started on the front hoof. Peter Kendall’s address made the most of the situation. he stressed the need for fairer supply chains, for stronger support for home production and for equal CAP payments across the eu. it all sounded so reasonable that he sounded more like the voice of reason than the head of a lobbying organisation.

There were no surprises in Owen Paterson’s address. he didn’t dodge bullets about GM or the badger cull. he talked about the pilot cull with such boldness, in fact, that one feared for his safety getting back to his ministerial car. eagle-eyed delegates would have spotted that he was wearing a mysterious green charity wristband. it was hard to read the inscription but one observer thought it said ‘Jesus loves GM potatoes’.

The talking point of the day was the paper delivered by Tesco’s Philip Clarke. Short of wearing a hair shirt, eating a plate of humble-flavoured ‘meat’ pie he couldn’t have given a more contrite performance. My mind kept recalling the footage of Saddam hussein when he was captured by the allied forces; this too being a memorable image of a powerful and much-feared figure climbing out of a hole someone had dug for him. in the face of this, the questions for Mr Clarke from farmers on the floor displayed unseemly hostility. Thankfully Meurig Raymond chaired the session with his characteristic calm, courtesy and good grace. The industry had been let down but uncle Meurig resisted the urge to go for cheap point scoring.

The conference set the tone for a new farming era. After a year from hell, there are plenty of farmers who need good news. Farming will always involve taking gambles but the conference signalled that the industry is finally holding a strong hand of cards.

bbSRCland RoverM&SMoy ParkAbP bOCM Pauls

Woodland Trust GrowhowVion Food Group RPANFu CountrysideAssured Food Standards

Farm Africabright CropAvonline broadbandR.A.b.i South Staffordshire College

And thanks to our other supporters:

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

THE LAST WORD

You agreed with most of what

Owen Paterson had to say, what

about the issues that you didn’t

see eye to eye on?

It was incredibly frustrating that the

Secretary of State was wanting to hark

back to an era of coupled payments

and food mountains when the NFU

has worked hard to drive a more

market-focused CAP. The industry is

really up for seeing how we do all the

environmental work but pillar one

money has been a lifeblood of the

farming industry.

Philip Clarke was contrite in the

way he explained Tesco’s role in

addressing the horsemeat saga -

is it about delivery now?

The timing of having Philip Clarke at

this event with all the media coverage

that he had done around the Tesco

announcement was really important.

But, as farmers, are we sceptical

about working with supermarkets?

Of course we are. But 58p in every

pound is now spent in supermarkets,

and the supermarkets are our biggest

and most important customers. Philip

made some serious pledges. Our role

is now to go through the details of

the proposals and to work with our

specialists to create contracts that are

fair and balanced. But crucially, I want

every sector to hold them to account.

If we pull this off it will be massive

because of the scale of Tesco.

And what about all the media

coverage this conference got?

The coverage was unprecedented. It

shows that we’re taking the messages

our to the public. If we get our

message right – that we are passionate

farmers producing world-class food –

we can make a real difference.

with Peter Kendall

p22_ConferenceSpecial_behindthescenes.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:23

024 BFG Conference Feb2013.indd 1 28/02/2013 09:51

Documents

BF&G Conference Special 2013