Party policies: Adrian Ramsay, Green Party

Why should farmers vote for your party?
The Green Party is the only party considering small-scale farmers - not just agribusiness.
We take sustainability and food security very seriously, and we believe agriculture and the farming community are integral to our economy.

Where would you make spending savings and improve efficiency in Defra and its agencies?
Defra needs to focus more on supporting small-scale farmers who survive with little assistance, rather than on huge agribusiness, which it subsidises.

How would you tackle bovine TB?
We propose cattle are kept in conditions in which they are neither physically weakened, nor overcrowded. We would also fund further research into bovine TB.

Would you introduce an independent body to take over animal health policy, alongside a levy on livestock producers?
A section of our proposed Environment Commission will deal with animal welfare and a local animal rights officer will provide assistance to farmers to help prevent animal disease.

How would you encourage new entrants into farming?
We would provide financial help and advice to those entering sustainable farming. Small-scale farmers would benefit from support provided to farmers’ markets and farm box schemes.
We would also make farming more appealing to young people, through greater integration of farming and education.

How would you help farmers adopt measures that tackle climate change?
Farmers have an important role to play in climate change mitigation.
The issues and solutions will need committed Government Research and Development (R&D) investment.

Would you encourage, domestically and at EU level, the growth of GM crops?
The Green Party believes in a cautious approach to the regulation of genetic research and its application. The rights of farmers, as well as consumers, to choose GM-free food and to establish GM-free zones, needs to be established and upheld.

What would you do to encourage agricultural Research and Development (R&D) in the UK?
The report Agriculture at a Crossroads suggests small-scale farm systems are the future. Greater R&D needs to be directed towards this and organic growing.

What is the single most important issue facing farmers?
I believe the monopoly UK supermarkets have over the grocery market and the downward pressure this causes on farm-gate prices, is a significant barrier to many farmers making a decent living.

The Green Party’s European spokesman was unavailable to answer questions on how the party would ensure the UK’s voice is heard in Europe and how the party would negotiate to retain Single Payments in the CAP.

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name