The arable fields were waterlogged and although we topped dressed in February, we are now desperate to spread fertilizer, and spray for disease. At last, a dry week is forecast.
As lambing begins in earnest, shepherds struggle to keep the new arrivals on dry land and safe from foxes of which there are far too many.
Farmers rely on the weather and timing to ensure crops grow to their optimum potential. When faced with drought, heavy rain, frost or tornados, valuable growing crops are damaged, some wiped out. As weather patterns change it is increasingly vital that governments encourage farmers to devote every acre of good fertile land to the production of food.
Recent empty shelves, a result of severe weather and disease in Spain and Morocco, were a wakeup call. The media blamed everything from Brexit, the government to transport delays. Shortages were caused by drought, frost, and disease, none could have been predicted or prevented.
The chance of severe drought throughout Europe is very real; last summer was the driest in 500 years. Ski resorts in the Alps have seen 63% less snow than usual and France saw up to 85% less rainfall than normal. Here, most of England has seen less rain than usual and another drought is predicted this summer.
As Andrew Davis said in a recent paper, “There must be a thorough review of the food supply chain and a regulatory framework introduced that ensures fairness throughout as recommended by the Dimbleby Report, currently being ignored by ministers. Retailers must pay British farmers to cover increased costs of production and not import from abroad.”
Since leaving the CAP, direct subsidies to farmers are being phased out and will end in 2027. In their place will be ‘Public money for public good’, to be delivered by the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). Farmers face increased costs regarding additional nature conservation and declining incomes, not covered by these schemes.
As far as I am concerned this system is a nonsense as farmers are being encouraged, if they want to continue to receive vital financial support, to set land aside for wildlife, access for the public to exercise themselves and their dogs, and to plant more trees. If you study the grants on offer and you will find nothing supporting food production.
Surely farmers’ primary job is to feed the nation and protect the environment, which they already do. Field to fork is the slogan which clearly hits the nail on head. England and Wales have thousands of acres of common land, parks, and 140,000 miles of public rights of way; the right to roam on working farms other than keeping strictly to footpaths, should be off the table.
Now we are told planners are creating 15-minute cities. This concept comes from France, creating neighbourhoods where everything required will be within a 15-minute walk or bike ride.
At present there are 16 government departments and policy units, clearly none majoring on food production or common sense.
As lambing begins in earnest, shepherds struggle to keep the new arrivals on dry land and safe from foxes of which there are far too many.
Farmers rely on the weather and timing to ensure crops grow to their optimum potential. When faced with drought, heavy rain, frost or tornados, valuable growing crops are damaged, some wiped out. As weather patterns change it is increasingly vital that governments encourage farmers to devote every acre of good fertile land to the production of food.
Recent empty shelves, a result of severe weather and disease in Spain and Morocco, were a wakeup call. The media blamed everything from Brexit, the government to transport delays. Shortages were caused by drought, frost, and disease, none could have been predicted or prevented.
The chance of severe drought throughout Europe is very real; last summer was the driest in 500 years. Ski resorts in the Alps have seen 63% less snow than usual and France saw up to 85% less rainfall than normal. Here, most of England has seen less rain than usual and another drought is predicted this summer.
As Andrew Davis said in a recent paper, “There must be a thorough review of the food supply chain and a regulatory framework introduced that ensures fairness throughout as recommended by the Dimbleby Report, currently being ignored by ministers. Retailers must pay British farmers to cover increased costs of production and not import from abroad.”
Since leaving the CAP, direct subsidies to farmers are being phased out and will end in 2027. In their place will be ‘Public money for public good’, to be delivered by the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). Farmers face increased costs regarding additional nature conservation and declining incomes, not covered by these schemes.
As far as I am concerned this system is a nonsense as farmers are being encouraged, if they want to continue to receive vital financial support, to set land aside for wildlife, access for the public to exercise themselves and their dogs, and to plant more trees. If you study the grants on offer and you will find nothing supporting food production.
Surely farmers’ primary job is to feed the nation and protect the environment, which they already do. Field to fork is the slogan which clearly hits the nail on head. England and Wales have thousands of acres of common land, parks, and 140,000 miles of public rights of way; the right to roam on working farms other than keeping strictly to footpaths, should be off the table.
Now we are told planners are creating 15-minute cities. This concept comes from France, creating neighbourhoods where everything required will be within a 15-minute walk or bike ride.
At present there are 16 government departments and policy units, clearly none majoring on food production or common sense.
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