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Plea to New Government to Adopt a Positive Approach to Agriculture and Food Production

Press Release 12/05/10

An appeal to the new Government – of whatever hue – to adopt a positive approach to agriculture and food production has come from the organisers of the UK’s national beef event, Beef Expo 2010.

Speaking in the run-up to Beef Expo, which takes place at Hexham Auction Mart on Thursday, May 27, and is organised by the National Beef Association with Lloyds TSB Agriculture as major sponsor, Scott Donaldson, chairman of the organising committee, said achieving a greater degree of self sufficiency in food which could be produced at home must be the number one objective of agricultural policy in an uncertain world.

“We recognise that the economy and the UK’s massive debt will have to be the new Government’s first concern but we are also looking to politicians to recognise the contribution farmers could make to economic recovery, given the right encouragement and a level playing field,” said Mr Donaldson, following a meeting of the organising committee in Hexham.

“This is particularly true of the beef sector where production has been in decline over the last few years and UK self-sufficiency has fallen from 100% to less than 70%.”

The importance of farming and food production was being increasingly recognised, he said, and it was hoped the new Government would maintain the momentum. The country could no longer depend on importing food to make up any shortfall in home supplies as the world population increased and even traditional exporters of beef, such as Argentina, becoming net importers.

Mr Donaldson renewed calls on the Government to tackle TB in cattle herds, ensure fairness in the development of the responsibility and cost sharing policy in animal health, sort out the ongoing problems in the Rural Payments Agency which was delaying payments to farmers in England, confirm the appointment of an ombudsman to ensure fair play from supermarkets in their dealings with suppliers and adopt a positive approach in forthcoming negotiations on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

“There are plenty of problems for the new Minister of Agriculture to get his teeth into,” said Mr Donaldson.

Farmers were ready to play their part, he said, in the country’s economic recovery and Beef Expo would point the way for beef producers.

“This year’s Beef Expo is being held at a time of renewed optimism among beef producers following the welcome and long overdue resurgence in returns over the past two years,” said Mr Donaldson.

“A measure of confidence is returning to the beef industry which is reflected in increased investment in genetics, nutrition, machinery and buildings to boost efficiency and maximise returns from the market place.”

The other side of the coin, however, was the pressure which meat processors were facing as they struggled to recoup increased costs from the retail sector which had been hit by the recession and a change in consumers’ buying habits.

“Sadly, we have not yet seen a reversal in the relentless downward trend in cattle numbers,” Mr Donaldson added. “However, demand for breeding stock remains strong and we may soon see a modest expansion of the beef breeding herd.

“Providing any increase is in line with market demand, this will be a welcome trend which will help ensure a strong, vibrant industry and provide the processing sector with the critical mass required to ensure viability.”

All sectors of the supply chain faced challenging times and an uncertain future as EU member states entered into negotiations on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and the type of support regime to be adopted post-2013.

“Budget constraints will inevitable mean a dilution of support in the future, whatever regime is adopted, and beef producers need to take the opportunity offered over the next few years to adapt their businesses to survive and prosper in a subsidy-free market,” he said.

“This is where Beef Expo 2010 will point the way by giving producers the opportunity of accessing all the latest information on technical, political and marketing developments in the industry.

“The comprehensive array of livestock displays, demonstrations, competitions, seminars, educational exhibits and trade stands will make for an absorbing day, plus the opportunity for all sectors of the industry, from primary producer to supermarket buyer, to get together and explore their mutual interests.”

Mr Donaldson expressed thanks to all sponsors, particularly major sponsor, Lloyds TSB Agriculture, and mainline sponsors, British Charolais Cattle Society, Dunbia, Eblex, Hexham & Northern Marts, Intervet Schering-Plough, Morrison Supermarkets, SAI Global and Yara, as well as beef breed societies and trade stand exhibitors, all of whom play a major role in the success of Beef Expo and without whose generous support the event could not take place.