Secretary of State for Agriculture Caroline Spelman has expressed her views on how British agriculture can continue to grow and prosper in the future. Spelman said that, in order to ensure secure growth, Britain should capitalise on its reputation for quality goods and knowledge.

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The Defra minister also mentioned the need for greater environmental commitment. She said, “Food security, climate change, economic growth and the eradication of poverty are all inextricably linked.” She mentioned a “moral imperative” to act in support of developing nations, adding for the benefit of those who do not believe it to be an end in itself, “The reduction of poverty will open up new markets for food producers.”

She said pushing for efficiency and sustainability in the food sector would also help stimulate economic growth and increase the resilience of the UK to the effects of climate change, adding that the government’s Green Food Project, which aims to cut waste, combine food and energy production and influence consumer behaviour, would go some way to addressing this.

Ms Spelman pointed out that, as the UK has only a limited and finite amount of natural resources which are vital for agricultural production, including phosphorus for fertiliser and renewable water, it is extremely important to push for carbon reduction and environmental protection as well as exporting the groundbreaking scientific innovation for which the UK has gained a reputation.

She said, “We can’t afford to be passive in a fast changing world, we have to be distinctive, wield more influence and engage, building alliances with key countries, government to government, government to business, and all of this is only possible with the help of the farming industry.”

Because China is a huge and rapidly expanding economy, the minister stated the belief that Britain must actquickly in investing in the market. Germany currently exports more to China than all other EU countries combined. Ms Spelman said the ‘made in Britain brand’ could help, not only in supplying assured goods to the fast expanding economy, but also to transfer knowledge and “export the system of safety” to ensure continued growth by delivering training to Chinese industries.

The Defra secretary explained that government spending on agricultural science would reflect its vital importance to the UK economy and future prosperity. She was unclear on whether this research would be more meaningful than simply pushing for GM licensing, which has stalemated at European level and, OFC speakers said, is not necessarily integral to addressing food security.  

Looking forward, she said the Exports Action Plan, to be published later this month, would help UK producers export overseas with more ease and that the new farming advisory service which Farming Minister Jim Paice announced at the OFC yesterday would provide information for farmers on climate change adaption.

However, Mr Paice’s announcement came under fire for “piggy backing” on the success of other organisations and claiming their good work for the ‘Big Society.’ Spelman defended the new service, which will probably be formed from the AHDB; she claimed the new body would be concerned with “making the rest as good as the best.” Dodging the accusation somewhat, she assured, “The body will transfer advice to those who need it. It is not a criticism of what exists at the moment.”

Discussing CAP reform, Spelman reiterated that the government has sought to forge links with likeminded states within the EU, including Romania, the Czech Republic, Netherlands and Scandinavian states. She said that, in so doing, she would be able to ensure that the Commission heeds the allies and the likelihood their views will be heard will be greater.  

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