Archived press release

Curry Report Misunderstood

31 January 2002

Friends of the Earth is insisting that farmers' leaders have misunderstood the Policy Commission Report [1] published on Tuesday. The report recommends that 10 per cent of production subsidies be diverted into environmental schemes but the campaigners have denied claims by the Ulster Farmers' Union [2] that this money would be siphoned out of farmers' pockets.

Lisa Fagan, Food and Farming Campaigner, explained:

"Farmers will still receive this money. The proposed change simply means that farmers will be paid more to look after the countryside and less to produce food. The cash would be available to farmers who join agri-environment initiatives such as the Countryside Management Scheme, the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme, the Woodland Grant Scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme."

And Friends of the Earth has denied claims by DARD that their Vision Report [3] is Northern Ireland's equivalent [4] to that of the Policy Commission, which considered England only.

"The Vision Report and the Policy Commission Report are chalk and cheese. For instance, the Commission is recommending that more food be produced for local markets but the Vision Report fails to acknowledge the potential of local food to boost farm incomes, preferring to concentrate on global markets. But to achieve world market prices will necessitate economies of scale, leading to larger farms and fewer farmers; ever greater quantities of cheap, intensively produced, low quality food; diminishing consumer confidence; and the likelihood of more food and animal health scares."

"Admittedly there are flaws in Donald Curry's report. In particular it will do nothing to break the supermarket 'armlock'. But the Commission's fundamental re-think of farm policy in England needs to happen in Northern Ireland too, if our family farmers are to stay in business, producing high quality food and looking after the countryside."

"There are two fresh opportunities to review the way we produce our food and farm the countryside: DARD's FMD Review [5] and the Agriculture Committee's FMD Inquiry [6]. These must come up with a radical agenda for change, before yet more farmers go to the wall."

Notes

[1] (back) The Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food in England was established by the UK Government in August 2001. Its report 'Farming and Food: A Sustainable Future' was handed over to DEFRA Secretary of State Margaret Beckett by Commission chairman Sir Donald Curry on 29 January 2002.

[2] (back) An Ulster Farmers' Union representative speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's 'Farm Gate' on 29 January 2002.

[3] (back) The Vision Report is published on the DARD web site www.dardni.gov.uk and was presented to Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Mrs Bríd Rodgers, on 4 October 2001 by the Group set up to develop a Vision for the future of the Northern Ireland agri-food sector.

[4] (back) DARD press release ‘Rodgers Comments on Policy Commission Report on the Future of Farming in England' issued on 29 January 2002 and published on the DARD web site www.dardni.gov.uk

[5] (back) DARD press release 'Rodgers Confirms Review of Foot and Mouth Handling' issued on 12 October 2001 and published on the DARD web site www.dardni.gov.uk

[6] (back) The Assembly's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee decided at their meeting on 18 January 2002 to carry out an Inquiry into the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak. Minutes of the meeting are published on the Northern Ireland Assembly web site www.niassembly.gov.uk

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust