Last updated 22:08, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

A WELL-KNOWN farmers’ leader told me he met Hillary Benn recently and it was the least productive meeting he had ever had with him. Why?

Because Mr Benn was expecting to be reshuffled if the local election results were bad; Defra would have a new head.

I believe that one of the reasons Defra is failing farmers and the need for better policies so badly is because being minister-in-charge is seen as only a stepping stone in an MP’s career.

From Margaret Beckett to Hillary Benn, we only have ministers on their way up or on their way down, not ones who are likely to hang around for the long-term.

We should see the reintroduction of a Minister for Agriculture at cabinet level – with a leader appointed who would change Defra’s attitude towards encouragement of food production in a balanced way.

Over the past few months, a huge chasm has appeared between the needs of the real world and the policies of the UK Government.

The huge increase in demand for cereals, exploding world population and last year’s poor worldwide harvest have left this country’s land management policies looking, at best, not fit for purpose.

The mantra of reduced production, set-aside and environmental protection at any cost is looking economically and morally flawed when the average weekly food bill has increased by 15 per cent.

Proposed legislation to be introduced by the UK Government also looks badly out of place when you consider its likely effect.

Complying with the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone plans is likely to cost dairy farmers an average of £50,000. Many milk producers, already reeling from massive input cost rises, are likely to baulk at this and exit the industry, particularly as cow prices are so high.

Tenant farmers in particular (like me) are going to find it difficult to justify this type of investment where land owners are unwilling to offer financial help.

Following the recent local elections, a new issue is rapidly surfacing that has the potential to damage our industry further – and that is weak government.

As usual, any article written by a farmer tends to be a marathon of moaning so I will attempt to finish on a high.

Demand for food is high and increasing and available land for production is limited.

The UK possesses a climate that is ideal for agriculture and a skilled farming industry that is ready and willing to play its part in feeding the world, but we have reached a critical point.

A decade of low returns and crippling legislation has driven farmers to lose confidence.

Milk production has fallen by 268 million litres in one year alone and will continue to fall unless producers can see a future long-term.

I have no doubt that given the correct backing, farmers in this country can do their bit to increase production and therefore help to keep food inflation at bay.