Report only first step towards greener farming29 January 2002
The Policy Commission's report on the Future of farming and food is only a first step towards a greener future for farming and the countryside.
The plan to shift 10 per cent of agricultural subsidies into environmental schemes is an important step towards rewarding farmers for care of the land, rather than supporting ever greater food production. But it still falls short of the 20 per cent which, under current EU rules, the Government could direct towards rural development, organic farming and other environmental schemes.
The Policy Commission does not tackle the key issues of trade and supermarket power which could mean that thousands of farmers will be forced out of business with disastrous effects for the countryside and the rural economy.
"Shifting only 10 per cent of subsidies into environmental schemes will leave the majority of farmland under intensive production," said Friends of the Earth Executive Director, Charles Secrett. "And the Commission has not addressed two of the biggest threats to the future of farming in the UK, the power of the supermarkets, and the increasing push towards trade liberalisation. Unless the Government tackles the trading practices of the big food companies, many of the farmers that manage the countryside for the benefit of tourism and wildlife will disappear."
The Commission recommended that the Code should be reviewed in two years time and that an arbiter be appointed to monitor the implementation of the code -but suggested this is facilitated by the Institute of Grocery Distribution - an industry-dominated body which represents the major retailers. Friends of the Earth wants the code to be thrown out, and an independent watchdog appointed.
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