CLA sets out "10 commitments" Government must make

Restoring profitability in the national and rural economy The British farming and food industry is ready to adapt and change in order to restore profitability and play its full part in the national and rural economy. To do so, it needs active support from the Government, CLA Chief Economist Professor Allan Buckwell said today.

Speaking at the CLA Regional Conference in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, Professor Buckwell set out the '10 Commitments' that Government must make if its imminent Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food is to meet the multiple challenges of: reforming the CAP; delivering a well managed landscape; ensuring a choice of safe, high-quality food at reasonable prices for consumers; and promoting thriving rural communities.

Professor Buckwell said:

'The Government has a unique opportunity to demonstrate real vision in its Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy. A profitable British farming and food industry is essential to the future of the rural economy, the countryside and the national economy. The Strategy must recognise the real and fundamental problems against which farming is struggling to survive. It must create the conditions to kick-start sustainable recovery by:

CAP: Fighting Britain's corner in the forthcoming CAP reform negotiations, to ensure that our farmers get the same level of support as those in other member states.

Safety nets: Recognising that farming is increasingly exposed to economic, climatic, animal and plant disease risk and that measures must be put in place, in partnership with the industry, to stabilise markets and incomes.

Competition: Giving a clear signal that the competition authorities will not intervene to stifle the development of collaborative ventures, for example in milk marketing.

Biofuels: Agreeing to cut the duty on biofuels by 30 pence per litre, the amount needed to secure the commercial growth and use of bioenergy crops.

Supply Chain Code: Making the code legally enforceable on retailers and enabling trade associations to give evidence without exposing the identity of individual suppliers.

Imports: Pressing for EU legislation to label imports clearly by their country of origin when final processing takes place in the UK. Also, introducing tighter measures to keep out illegal food imports - especially meat - eg by random spot-checks at ports of entry.

Local and regional food: Pushing the boundaries of EU legislation to lend maximum support to English local and regional food intiatives, as is already done in Scotland and Wales.

Red tape: Saying no to EU moves for further regulations and reducing the burden of existing regulation, eg by cutting the number and variety of farm inspections.

Animal disease control: Recognising that farmers cannot be expected to foot the bill for the Government's disease control measures and must be paid fair compensation if their animals are taken by the state for slaughter.

Rural Development Schemes: Securing easier access for farming and small businesses to EU-funded rural development schemes, such as the Rural Enterprise Scheme.'

Date: 10th December 2002