Make Mine Milk Campaign Mooves Ahead!
Barbara Hughes, chairman of the WFU Dairy Committee, was presented with her own “Make Mine Milk” “Tash” advert. The campaign is now well under way featuring celebrities who drink “lots”
To dispel myths about milk more parenting guidance about the benefits of milk are available at www.milk.co.uk
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Medical alert cards are to be launched in Devon on Lynne Askews farm (Date To Be Confirmed)
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The 150th Anniversary of RABI
Eunice Finney, Staffordshire; Jean Datson, Sue Eley and Margaret Gibson, postal members were in attendance at the service, along with several other WFU Members on Wednesday 24th February 2010 at Westminster Abbey, London. There were over 2,000 people at the celebratory service, which lasted for an hour.
Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum Keynote Seminar
Food security, science, innovation and research
with
Professor Robert Watson
Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
and
Steve Visscher
Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Morning, Thursday, 17th June 2010
Central LondonOur Website | Book Online | Live Agenda
Free Renewables Masterclass, Chilton, Buckinghamshire
22nd March 2010, 10am-3pmFarming Futures is working with the CLA to host this expert workshop on the issues surrounding on-farm renewable energy technologies. We will hear from experts in the areas of Wind, Biomass and AD, as well as planning, environmental permits, grid connection, Power Purchase Agreements and grant funding. There will be an opportunity to discuss some of the specific details surrounding your installation, and get first hand information.
Attendance is free but you must book in advance (limit 60)
Please contact Claire Wyatt, Farming Futures on 020 7324 3670 or email farming@forumforthefuture.org
Farmers Weekly Awards
I wonder if I could enlist the help of your membership to encourage their husbands, sons and or daughters to enter the Farmers Weekly Awards?
We find that the most powerful way to get good entries is to get people nominated. Your members can do that by simply going to the above link and nominating farmers to enter one of 14 categories that span the whole farming sector, from Arable to Beef, Dairy to Pigs, Poultry to Sheep and Young [under 35 years]. We are looking for farmers who are truly dynamic – individuals who are innovative and inspiring. I am sure your membership has oodles of talent within its own families!
We are looking for nominations now, to convert into entries by the closing date of April 30. Hope you can help.
With best wishes
Debbie
Debbie Beaton
Project Development Manager
Farmers Weekly Group
020 8652 4080
07803167041
www.farmersweeklyawards.co.uk
www.fwi.co.uk/academy
WASTE IS STILL A HEADACHE FOR FARMERS
New online learning tool can clear up confusion
The SME-nvironment report by environmental guidance website NetRegs.gov.uk reveals that it is recognition of specific waste regulations, rather than compliance, which is the problem. The Hazardous Waste and Duty of Care regulations were both found to be misunderstood by farmers; many had not heard of these regulations when read from a list (Hazardous Waste 43%, Duty of Care 29%), meaning that they aren’t taking advantage of specific support available to help them meeting these rules.
The research also reveals that while a third of farmers store agricultural waste on site, many do not recognise the important legislation which determines what can be stored, for how long and where permits are required.
This research points to a need for clearer communication and support for farmers in recognising and so managing waste regulations. The Environment Agency’s NetRegs website is now seeking to clear up the confusion with itsLearning about Agricultural Waste tool (www.netregs.gov.uk/farmwaste).
Developed in collaboration with the National Farmers Union, the tool provides the farming community with seven simple subjects for battling waste – including guidance on Hazardous Waste, Duty of Care and on-site storage and transport. It also details legislation specific to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The NFU supports NetRegs’ Waste Tool as a means of helping farmers manage their waste obligations with minimal requirements on their time. Environment Policy Adviser Aarun Naik explains: “Farmers are faced by a barrage of legislation and it is simply not feasible for them to spend hours reading up on every aspect of waste. In the last year alone there have been significant changes made to the Hazardous Waste and Animal By-Products regulations in parts of the UK, which farmers need to know about. We’ve supported the development of NetRegs’ Waste Tool because it helps farmers keep on top of the legislation that applies to them, without costing them time and money.”
The good news for farmers is that NetRegs’ report reveals many in the agricultural community are already seeing the financial rewards of more effective waste management, through reduced operating costs and a more motivated workforce.
Richard Martin, NetRegs Programme Manager, explains: “Farmers’ resources are stretched, particularly in the current climate – but we know that investing in environmental compliance can save rather than cost money. We talked to farmers on the ground to find out what they would find helpful and our Waste Tool has been developed based on their feedback. The result is a single online access point to all the necessary information on waste legislation and we hope it’s going to really help farmers.”
NetRegs’ SME-nvironment study, which is delivered through a partnership between the Environment Agency, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency shows that half of farmers are already trying to reduce their business waste, with almost three quarters now recycling. Although this lags behind the UK average of 84% it points to a sector keen to improve its waste management practices, given the right support.
NetRegs’Learning About Agricultural Waste Tool is now available on the NetRegs website and can be accessed at www.netregs.gov.uk/farmwasteFor more information:
Emily Luscombe / Sarah Taylor, Camargue, 020 7636 7366.
eluscombe@camarguepr.com / staylor@camarguepr.com
Women’s Food & Farming Union
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
President’s Address given at the WFU’s AGM
on 7th February 2010 at the Farmers Club, London
“The past is another country”- we can only now go forwards into 2010.
On the face of it – it seemed it had been an inauspicious year – following the resignations of some officers. However I have to extend my sincere thanks to those CEC members who chose to remain to support WFU in the furtherance of its aims and objectives and to those co-opted ex-presidents who gave freely of their invaluable time, expertise and advice, helping and supporting CEC to get WFU back on track.
Thus WFU have achievements to announce -
A successful 2009 Cheese Campaign, thanks to Sally Joseph from Glamorganshire taking it over at short notice and securing extra events to over-fulfil our commitment to the Cheese Board. We have had a very appreciative letter from Nigel White at the Cheese Board, and hope to work with him again once their plans for 2010 are in place. Her excellent report is here, but I have only one copy.
WFU put in a successful bid to HGCA to supply Breakfast events around the country, again do look at it -but leave it for me for reference. Breakfasts to over 1000 people of all ages in different forms were served from Cheshire to Colchester, schoolchildren to soldiers. From children helping to make their own porridge to exploring soldiers needs of a healthy filling breakfast whilst on the move. All these events were co-ordinated by Margaret Gibson from Cumbria, who is waiting for the last branch reports to come in before sending all to HGCA.
Maureen Friday from Kent also co-ordinated prepared and presented a successful Farming in the Classroom programme with sponsorship from HGCA. Her report was excellent and circulated to chairmen after being sent to HGCA
In October the WFU 30th Anniversary was celebrated here with a full house of members and guests from among WFU supporters over the years. Lord Selborne and David Richardson gave excellent presentations and members were treated to a special showing of David’s video “British to the Core” which so clearly showed how and why WFU came into being.
Out of this meeting came positive happenings. New Branches in London, Shropshire, Monmouth and North Wales are in the offing, with the launch of the London Branch on March 12th here. There is already interest in this branch and Sarah Chase has designed an appropriate logo for the capital branch.
The “Food Security Issue” a core WFU value has prompted a pro-active campaign to re-generate interest to “Look for Local”. We are hoping to join with the milk campaign to target 14-24 year olds, and encourage them that “Milk is cool- Drink cool milk”
We have an on-going campaign for the need for TB eradication to be taken seriously and a member has rightly suggested that in this election year all branches should invite their MP, prospective candidate and MEP to visit farms in their constituency to be educated on the farming real issues not the ones dreamt up by Brussels or the Whitehall mandarins.
WFU has also been out and about attending the Dairy event in September where I was invited to chair seminars on employment law and much appreciated the support of several dairy members who came and gave out information.
I still attend Pesticide Forum and the Human Health Action Plan Implementation Group on behalf of WFU and here food security and water quality have become serious issues. I was privileged to be invited to the House of Lords Farmers Club lunch and Margaret Gibson and I attended the London Launch of Breakfast Week. Barbara Hughes (Dairy Committee Chairman) from Cheshire attended the Cheese Ceremony at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
Invitations to a Rotary club and a FEAST Rural Education day have also been fulfilled and after a really cold day at LAMMA. Sarah Chase and I gave a radio broadcast in Lincoln promoting WFU and our campaigns.
The Yorkshire Branch ladies have the Conference plans well in hand and have some interesting speakers also on food and food fraud.
The start of the newsletter in October has proved popular, so much so that I had emails demanding it be sent, to some whose emails were not initially available. This threw up the need for a correct data base as I also had an email from a stranger who did not know why she was receiving it
She had had several copies before she cancelled so I like to think she enjoyed reading it. Most chairmen print it off for non email members on a fortnightly or monthly basis and our Postal rep Margaret sends it out weekly on email and fortnightly by post.
This is not a role I sought, however I feel that WFU is too important to lose and with the help and support of all members I feel we can look forward to a positive future.
Helen Bower
Acting President
February 2010
30th Celebration for the Women’s Food & Farming Union
Everything was in place for a celebration in style for the 30th Anniversary for the Women’s Food & Farming Union held on the 20th October 2009 at the Farmers Club, Whitehall.
The speakers were Lord Selborne, Helen Bower, Baroness Byford, Lord Plumb and David Richardson (not pictured).
Helen Bower, Acting President said, “The organisation started 30 years ago with the apple and has maintained throughout those years, its aim: to always link producer and consumer. I always say, 'If you want a job done ask a woman' and that has been proved time and time again within the history of the organisation.”To mark this significant event a special pear, apple and walnut chutney has been prepared in Staffordshire for all the guests to take home with them. The apple obviously has a great significance to the organisation and it is fitting that produce using apples and pears has been used to celebrate this very special occasion.
The immediate Past President, Ionwen Lewis was presented with a Border Fine Art Welsh Bull and vouchers to spend, to mark her time as President of the organisation.
The celebration cake was cut by Baroness Byford, WFU Patron and the Acting President, Helen Bower. The cake had yellow butterflies on it and was made by Helen's daughter Abigail.
The following is a copy of Helen Bower's speech:
"My Lords Ladies & Gentlemen & Fellow members…………….
We are here today to celebrate … the APPLE.
To celebrate what the APPLE led to.
To celebrate the actions the APPLE engendered.
To celebrate the APPLE as a tribute to the past, a reason for the present and a pointer to the future.
30 years ago the apple was under threat. The actions generated to save it resulted in the formation of WFU, Women’s Farming Union or Women of Action.
Margaret Thatcher rightly said, ”If you want something said ask a man. If you want something done ask a woman!”. How true of WFU.
Many of the original drivers of the organisation are here today. True Testament to 30 years of active WFU.
Many of the tactics used in the Apple campaign are well documented, but of them all Retail Surveillance has to be the one that has endured and even been taken up in various guises by others. WFU started retail surveillance of apples in supermarkets, shops, farm shops and markets, to monitor availability, quality, price and position in store. Whilst the data collected was invaluable in proving their point that the British apple was indeed under threat it also led to better marketing, handling and grading of the British product.
When WFU extended its borders beyond Kent and Mid-Anglia the success of retail surveillance led to other products being studied under this scheme. Potatoes, bacon, cheese, milk, butter and cream to name but a few. Many of our members visited outlets across the country, sending their results to co-ordinators who collated their findings into valuable data. It is no surprise to me that Supermarkets - through the loyalty card - even the Government’s Pesticide Residue Committee with dedicated shoppers buying everyday staple foodstuffs; modified or created their own versions.Branches of WFU sprang up all over the country. Like minded active women seeking to promote links between producer and consumer that in Britain with the move to urban living have become increasingly lost. Links have been forged through Education schemes, such as Farming in the classroom, our HGCA supported scheme through which over 100 schools and therefore thousands of children have learnt about food production from our members, who are hands on producers. Food tastings and recipes promoting healthy eating have proved popular methods of engaging with the public as have the Farmhouse Breakfasts where members have used many and various novel ways of encouraging consumers to eat healthy and hearty breakfasts.
For 30 years WFU has linked producer to consumer, presenting a balanced view of both consumer and producer issues. Issues that have arisen over the years have been Nitrates in Water, BST, Listeria, healthy eating, Leptospirosis and pesticide use. Latterly consolidating the areas of action into education, school milk and cheese campaigns. WFU also responds to Government consultations on areas of interest. Today the plight of the apple has been replaced with the plight of the Dairy Industry.
This container carries the little red tractor logo. Research has shown that among shoppers it is the most widely recognised and understood symbol, denoting that the foodstuff has been produced in Britain. Today the dairy industry like the apple industry 30 years ago is under threat. Under serious danger of being so depleted in the UK that the spectre of having to rely on imports for a staple food is fast approaching unless rapid action is taken. WFU have long recognised this and have made representation of the benefits, on behalf of the dairy industry, for milk and cheese in particular through the "Choose Cheese“campaign.
WFU has also been concerned about Bovine tuberculosis for years. This concern started many years ago, seeing the spread of it, through pasture contaminated by sick badgers, suffering from this painful and debilitating disease. Representation to successive ministers seems to have had no effect. Many years of research and many and various committees have studied options for control, but still this disease spreads. Badgers suffer, farmers suffer, and suicides among dairy farmers are high. This is leading to the milk supply becoming under threat of having to rely on imports to fulfil demand. At the WFU National Conference in March, this subject was raised again, with graphic images of suffering badgers and charting how bovine TB has spread across Devon. How can this happen in a country where large areas particularly in the West Country are ideally suited to dairy production. WFU have joined with Women Working Together, and are also hoping to engage with the 6 ”O” group to take a campaign forward to link producer and consumer by raising the awareness of the plight of the badger, the plight of the dairy industry and the threat to the Nation's health, if this blight on the industry is not dealt with as soon as possible. No wonder the Devon farmers are envious of their Welsh colleagues, where action has been taken to end the suffering of sick badgers and hopefully stem the spread of Bovine TB.
A concern of particular interest to me is the position of Plant Protection products. Having sat on the Pesticide Forum since its inception, I despair at the current state of affairs where a European Directive opposed by the UK Government, the only country to have produced an in depth impact assessment, was passed by MEP’s. One of whom admitted to WFU that the information provided by the Commission was poor. Agrochemicals are thus to be approved on a hazardous rather than risk based system leading to the withdrawal of useful products, leaving the industry with inappropriate tools to protect our crops and leading to crop contamination. So often the benefits of plant protection products are overlooked, especially by the popular press, who delight in concentrating on emotive language such as “drenched in pesticide”. Which as all practising farmers know could not be further from the truth.
WFU uses education; in the classroom, the market place, in social groups and at shows to get the message over to consumers of how their food is produced and delivered. Samplings of cheese, apples and other produce encourage shoppers to taste the quality of home grown produce and demand it from their retailers.
Finally the APPLE can teach us about Food Security. This is the current buzz word, used by government to assure us that something is being done. Interestingly even as late as June this year the Pesticide Forum was told that the world was awash with food, yet we need food security. We need security of supply, security of quality and security of quantity. This has been a core aim of WFU since the beginning.
Imagine the world is an apple - three quarters of the earth’s surface is ocean. This leaves one quarter land. Half of this land is too steep, too wet or too dry for food production. This leaves one eighth suitable for food production.
Only one quarter of that suitable land is available – the rest is buildings, forests or roads. So, only 3% of the earth’s surface is available to grow food for 6 billion people. On average topsoil is only .5 of a metre thick. So only a tiny part of the planet has to do the job of growing food for everyone on earth. Food security is important, so important that to recognise through fair trade agreements the plight of subsistence farmers around the world is highly commendable. To forget however, that Food Security begins at home and that the best produce is locally sourced and produced is folly. The biggest offenders here are HMG. Why are our troops fed on foreign produce? 95% of apples supplied to NHS are imported. To source food for government contacts from home producers rather than talking about it would be a start.
My question at many meetings has been “Do you people eat? We are not here to debate whether an “if“ or a “but” should be inserted in our mission statement; we are here for action. If we eat, (which we all do) then by our actions we should be making sure that our food supply is secure, healthy and available. Not wringing our hands with platitudes as our industry succumbs to imports, ludicrous stifling EU directives denying choice to our consumers.Looking to the future, new branches are in the pipeline, we have here today a member from Herefordshire, looking to start a branch there and already new members are joining in Northern Ireland. We also have the possibility of a Shropshire branch. We look forward to welcoming more like minded women to continue and expand the work of WFU. Believe you me, it is needed today, dare I say more than ever.
In order to preserve the countryside we all love, a strong link needs to be maintained between producer and consumer. I read in the newspaper recently that the “action man toy” is to be re-introduced, we are not toys; we are women of action, we are the WFU!"
Helen Bower.
October 2009.
WFU TRAINING
Provided by Going RuralMore details to follow, but the training courses will cover all aspects of preparing stands for shows and contacting the press.
This training will be provided for any WFU members who live in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire, which makes up the region of the West Midlands.
This training has been provided from a LANTRA grant and a date has yet to be arranged for Worcestershire but the other dates below have been confirmed.29th April - Staffordshire
5th May - Warwickshire
2nd September - Shropshire
20th September - HerefordshireFor further details please visit www.growingruralenterprise.co.uk.
DAIRY CHAIRMAN MEETS CHELSEA PENSIONERS
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Dairy Council’s support for the ceremony of the Christmas cheeses held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. I felt very proud to be involved with the dairy industry. All of the cheese makers who donated their vast range of cheeses did the industry proud. This year 94 year old veteran, Bill Moylon had the privilege of cutting the cheese, Bill who endured the hardship of building the bridge over River Kwai. He has also wrote a book "A very pleasant journey through life".
Also this year we were joined by two territorial army troops bound for Afghanistan. Who could not wait until March 2010 to start their six month spell over in Afghanistan, having previously served in Iraq. Also at the meeting were two ladies who have recently moved into the Chelsea Hospital.
I feel it is an honour to be invited each year to this ceremony. I particularly enjoyed chatting and listening to the fascinating stories they have to tell. We finished off a wonderful day by having lunch in the state apartments. Many thanks go to Dr Judith Bryans, Directer of the Dairy Council.
As attached pictures of the day firstly of the two lady pensioners and secondly Bill Moylon with Barbara Hughes (Dairy chairman womens food & farming union)
