Farm productivity could double with the right policy framework, say agricultural suppliers – but progress is being hampered by the lack of a clear, coordinated government strategy.
Speaking at last month’s Agricultural Industries Confederation conference, AIC chairman Jonathan Lane said the sector was already demonstrating resilience, investment and innovation – but it needed government ambition to match it.
Added value
Mr Lane praised the “real added value” emerging from collaboration across the supply chain, while stressing that there is still much more to do. “Our industry isn’t standing still, it’s innovating and adapting,” he told conference delegates at the Holiday Inn, west Peterborough, on 12 November. We have the knowledge, the technology and the will. What we need now is stable, joined-up government policy to match that ambition.”
“The future will be different, but it does not have to be negative. Working together, we can build a strong, sustainable and competitive agri-food system for the UK.” The AIC has urged government ministers to set out a cross-department plan to raise agriculture’s economic contribution from 0.6% to 1% of GDP, arguing that stability and clarity are essential if investment and productivity are to increase.
Defra minister Angela Eagle acknowledged the strain caused by “short-term clarity” and repeated policy shifts. The government wanted to work more closely with the industry to shape a long-term framework for food production.
“We cannot build a food-secure nation on short-term clarity,” said Dame Angela. “We need a plan that farmers and businesses can trust, and your input is critical to getting this right.”
Early findings
Former NFU president Minette Batters set out some early findings from the Farm Profitability Review she has submitted to Defra. The government has promised to publish the review before Christmas.
Baroness Batters said: “We cannot continue with competing demands on land without a coherent, long-term plan.” Food, nature, housing and energy all mattered, but without certainty, farmers could not plan. Her warnings were echoed by George Freeman, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture. UK farmers could “produce more from less” while driving innovation across the supply chain, he said.