Be friend to farms, Whitehall is told
Last updated 19:35, Thursday, 01 May 2008
CUMBRIA’S NFU chairman has called on the Government to be an encouraging friend instead of a dictatorial policeman.
Russell Bowman spoke out after attending a Downing Street summit on food prices.
He said: “As farmers and growers, we are ready and willing to rise to the challenge. But a clear acknowledgement of the value of stepping up production, backed by some serious investment in research and development and accompanied by a genuine attack on the red tape which is holding us back, would make a huge difference.
“At the moment though, Cumbrian farmers are not being incentivised and there is no even approach from Defra.
“Take the Single Farm Payment for example. A lot of farmers get paid in December, but some may not get paid until May or beyond.”
He said many beef farmers including himself had quit the sector, despite the current high prices at the marts.
“I have had to cease beef production because it was too risky to carry on with. With no Single Farm Payment, I was being forced to increase my overdraft and when a disease like bluetongue is hanging over the industry, the risk of borrowing more money becomes too big to take.”
Milk production is falling by around 20 million litres a year, while the Government’s proposed Nitrate Vulnerable Zones would force many dairy farmers to spend thousands of pounds on extra slurry storage.
Mr Bowman added: “The bottom line is that food prices around the world have increased because we have not produced enough food.”
