We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.NFU 2010: Kendall highlights key issues facing farmers
In his conference-opening speech, NFU president Peter Kendall urged politicians to work with farmers to help them tackle the urgent problems the world is facing. It covered a number of topics.
On elections
“There’s a distinct election feel in the air this conference. I’m already hearing animated discussions on policies and personalities…
And of course there’s the General Election to think about as well.”
On farming’s future
Norman Borlaug, Nobel Prize winner and the greatest agricultural scientist who ever lived, died last September. Just before he died he wrote: “In the next 50 years we are going to have to produce more food than we have in the last ten thousand years.”
That’s farming’s future. It’s not going to happen by chance. We can’t rely on the free market alone. We need the Government to keep on working with us, I stress ‘working with us’. Food production should be on the front pages of all political agendas, not a footnote to them.”
On being upbeat
“I think some farmers have thought I’ve lost my marbles with my unrelenting optimism. But, it’s because the NFU has continued with our positive message that I believe we’ve earned the right to be listened to.”
On the next Government
“We need a Government, come May 7th, that’s helps us play our part to the full.”
On farming’s need to invest
We all recognise the financial bind the next Government will be in. I want to start a debate about our own willingness – as farmers and growers – to dig a bit deeper into our pockets to see the development of our research base.
We must become more competitive, and if we are to make up the ground we’ve lost to the rest of Europe, we need to have the confidence to invest more in our productive capacity.
On animal disease cost sharing
“We know this is about budgets. A starting point, before any notion of cost-sharing can be discussed, has got to be the efficient use of public money by government departments. Defra scores badly on that front. The recent National Audit Office report talks about it having ‘scant regard…for the proper management of public funds’.
If I can be blunt in my message: farmers are more than ready to sit at the same table as the Government, but don’t dump your waste on our plates, and charge us for your service.”
On bovine TB
Secretary of State, we have talked about this a lot. The Welsh government is taking firm action as part of its eradication plan, which is a good start. My question to you and to all the main parties is this: “What are you going to do to eradicate bovine TB?”
“TB will be a major factor in how they cast their vote in a couple of months’ time. Farmers want political leadership on this issue.”
On supermarket bullying
“Retailer behaviour over the last few weeks – ahead of the new Code of practice coming in – has shown that the Government’s decision to establish a grocery ombudsman is emphatically the right one.
But I’m also seriously worried by what I’ve been hearing about processors offering ridiculous, unsustainable prices to undercut competitors and secure a deal with the supermarkets.”
On the CAP
“Believe me, every farmer I’ve talked to would like to get to a place where they are less dependent on direct support. Where we can see ourselves competing in fair, rules-based global markets and see returns that allow us to manage risk, ride out volatility and invest for the future. We all know we’re not there yet – far from it – and until then, we’re going to need public support to meet the food production challenge. And we need to work hard to justify that support.”
