The French minister of farming and food, Stephane Travert is currently doing all he can to promote French farmers who are in big trouble and facing very difficult times. He aims to ensure they get a fair share of the profits that are being made from food, but are currently pocketed by others, and will endeavour to increase farmer’s income through higher farm gate prices.
Farmers are investing in establishing farmer-supplied and farmer-run supermarkets, to sell their products directly to the public, missing out the middle men and commercial retailers, in the first of these co-operatives.
There are thousands of items produced on farms such as cheese, pate, wines, fruit, vegetables, artisan bread, as well as regular dairy and meat products. All supplied by 40 regional producers.
Farmers tour the aisles, speaking to shoppers and explain the origins of the products and how important it is that they buy local products which have been reared, grown, produced and have been delivered directly from a local farms.
Their message is that the local farmer’s produce high quality food, and in doing so they also maintain and care for the countryside. But, food production takes priority.
This is all in stark contrast to the message we heard last week from Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, who failed to mention farming or food, as he announced that farmers will be paid for delivering benefits to nature, the public and the countryside post Brexit.
He added that reform of the system was needed. This one has to agree with as the current system is deeply flawed. But he added, that farmers would be supported with payments for woodland creation, habitat protection, caring for treasured landscapes and higher animal welfare.
Unlike the French minister there was no mention of food production or desire for farmers to receive a fair price, let alone food security, or encouraging the young into the industry.
It is vital that the UK has a healthy agricultural industry, but I rather suspect Mr Gove is leaning towards the view that farmers should be park keepers. He has quite obviously been successfully targeted by the environmental lobbyists, just as I suspected he would be.
I wonder if Mr Gove has ever visited a farm. We know he has toured a number of agricultural shows, but he appears not to be aware that a major part of farming is and always has been maintaining woodland, and creating and enhancing land where wildlife thrive, alongside growing crops and rearing livestock.
He should also be aware that most British farms would find it hard to raise the already very high standard of animal welfare which is normal practise. I really do think he needs to buy a pair of wellington boots and go and get them muddy on a traditional British farm. If he wants a guide he need only to ask, I shall be delighted to take him on a tour!
The minister believes the UK should take the opportunity presented by leaving the EU to reward farmers for environmental protection, surely his priority should be FOOD PRODUCTION!
Project Brexit is moving along well as it is becoming clear, that we shall be leaving the single market and the customs union. Non-European countries such as the USA, Brazil, Turkey, Canada and Australia are queuing up to discuss trade deals, and we are ignoring the shrieks of alarm coming from Brussels where Mr Juncker and his pals attempt to keep us under their control to the bitter end.
These countries and others are seeking closer links to our economy, the fifth largest in the world, and where the City of London is booming, and hiring is up 18 per cent since the referendum.
London is the greatest financial centre in the world, ranking above New York, and it is worth noting that league tables show no EU city above the top 20!
Farmers are investing in establishing farmer-supplied and farmer-run supermarkets, to sell their products directly to the public, missing out the middle men and commercial retailers, in the first of these co-operatives.
There are thousands of items produced on farms such as cheese, pate, wines, fruit, vegetables, artisan bread, as well as regular dairy and meat products. All supplied by 40 regional producers.
Farmers tour the aisles, speaking to shoppers and explain the origins of the products and how important it is that they buy local products which have been reared, grown, produced and have been delivered directly from a local farms.
Their message is that the local farmer’s produce high quality food, and in doing so they also maintain and care for the countryside. But, food production takes priority.
This is all in stark contrast to the message we heard last week from Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, who failed to mention farming or food, as he announced that farmers will be paid for delivering benefits to nature, the public and the countryside post Brexit.
He added that reform of the system was needed. This one has to agree with as the current system is deeply flawed. But he added, that farmers would be supported with payments for woodland creation, habitat protection, caring for treasured landscapes and higher animal welfare.
Unlike the French minister there was no mention of food production or desire for farmers to receive a fair price, let alone food security, or encouraging the young into the industry.
It is vital that the UK has a healthy agricultural industry, but I rather suspect Mr Gove is leaning towards the view that farmers should be park keepers. He has quite obviously been successfully targeted by the environmental lobbyists, just as I suspected he would be.
I wonder if Mr Gove has ever visited a farm. We know he has toured a number of agricultural shows, but he appears not to be aware that a major part of farming is and always has been maintaining woodland, and creating and enhancing land where wildlife thrive, alongside growing crops and rearing livestock.
He should also be aware that most British farms would find it hard to raise the already very high standard of animal welfare which is normal practise. I really do think he needs to buy a pair of wellington boots and go and get them muddy on a traditional British farm. If he wants a guide he need only to ask, I shall be delighted to take him on a tour!
The minister believes the UK should take the opportunity presented by leaving the EU to reward farmers for environmental protection, surely his priority should be FOOD PRODUCTION!
Project Brexit is moving along well as it is becoming clear, that we shall be leaving the single market and the customs union. Non-European countries such as the USA, Brazil, Turkey, Canada and Australia are queuing up to discuss trade deals, and we are ignoring the shrieks of alarm coming from Brussels where Mr Juncker and his pals attempt to keep us under their control to the bitter end.
These countries and others are seeking closer links to our economy, the fifth largest in the world, and where the City of London is booming, and hiring is up 18 per cent since the referendum.
London is the greatest financial centre in the world, ranking above New York, and it is worth noting that league tables show no EU city above the top 20!
RSS Feed