WFU Conference 2008

The 2008 Conference was chaired by our new patron, Baroness Hazel Byford. Her knowledge of the industry was an asset during the conference and her interpretation of the messages and issues was invaluable.

Ionwen Lewis,
The WFU President welcomed members, speakers and Guests to the conference. Her main message was that food security needs to be moved up the political agenda.

Ionwen highlighted that the agricultural industry is at a major crossroads. It is now time for the Westminster government to take the issue of food shortages seriously and put food security well and truly on their agenda. The time has come to stop pussy-footing around the subject of food security. Farmers all over the world are facing problems especially in developing countries, and of course they should be helped to increase their production but we must remember that good house keeping starts at home. If we have our own house in order then we will be in a better position to help the developing Countries

The challenge is here to feed the world. It is important to recognise the advances of science. The world population is expanding by approximately 70 plus million people per year. The world's food production doubled between 1980 and 2000. With good science and good management, it can be done again, otherwise we will not be able to feed the estimated growth in population.

It is going to be a tremendous challenge and it will provide farmers in this country with great opportunities. We will be expected to provide more food for more people from less land. We are already experiencing food shortages, which have caused higher prices for animal feed as well as for our food. Demand for crops to turn in to biofuel could pose a significant danger to world food supplies.

Last week our Prime minister called for urgent action for an International strategy for food prices. He thinks that food prices are too high - too high for whom she wondered? In real terms they are well below prices that farmers were getting over 20years ago and in many cases nowhere near sustainable. Food production is a business not a charity. Our government now has a golden opportunity to connect in a realistic way to our precious industry.

HRH Prince Charles
After the presidents welcome we were honoured with a goodwill message from HRH Prince Charles expressing support for the work done by the WFU, especially in education, and how important the industry is.

Mariann Fischer-Boel, EU Commissioner.

The recent rises in food prices have been too steep according to Mariann Fischer-Boel. The changes in the structure of demand, climate change and the slowness of the EU to embrace GM have all contributed to this situation. The CAP health check now being carried out by the commission is looking at how agriculture can 'raise its game' while dealing with climate change. Farmers need to be free to respond to the world market so that CAP is seen as a safety net rather than a price setter. She foresees milk quotas being fazed out by 2015 and said that setaside had outlived itself.

The Rural Development Agency does not have enough funding but she still felt that it was important in its work for the environment. Europe will not be able to compete with Brazil on price so must focus on quality. As it says in the nursery rhyme 'The Farmer's in his Den ' the farmer needs a wife, and in 2005 women made up 45% of the agricultural work force. It is up to policy makers to highlight the possibilities for women in the rural community and also their rights.

Dennis Turner, Chief Economist HSBC

Dennis Turner gave a lively presentation explaining how, in order to maintain a healthy economy, interest rates, inflation and exchange rates must remain constant. Although there are problems in our economy at the moment there is still growth but the wrong sort of growth based on consumer and public debt. Companies are spending but not investing. Government borrowing is too high so can we maintain growth and borrowing? Two thirds of world economy growth is in the emerging countries and Britain is being priced out of these markets.

Elin Jones, Welsh Assembly Minister

Elin Jones felt that in Wales they were facing up to their responsibilities by encouraging variety, reducing carbon footprints and increasing power in the market place. The latter was highlighted by Gwyn Howells, Hybu Cig Cymru, when he spoke about the importance of red meat production and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) which gave Welsh Beef and Lamb a higher profile in the market place. He commented on the setting of levies to be decided by the regional boards. Elin Jones spoke about the recent decision to test cattle and cull badgers in trials to eradicate bovine TB

Justin King, Chief Excecutive of Sainsbury's

Justin King, spoke about British farming being part of their 'story' and was positive about UK agriculture. Having a successful supply base was important but not a corporate responsibility. Sainsbury's started by selling safe, healthy food and that is their aim today and also belief in consumer choice. They use customers' money to source what the customer wants which also includes respect for the environment and responsible use of resources. With population growth and a world wide market he said we can not be too single minded about sustainability and food security. 95% of food's carbon footprint is in the cooking pot so he did not feel that carbon labeling was important. British produce should be focused at the top end of the market and should be made available to all consumers - local produce not just for local consumers. In answering questions he commented that subsidy schemes lead to lower quality product whereas market driven schemes solve problems quicker.

Henry Fell

Food security was the theme of Henry Fell's presentation. He questioned a statement made by DEFRA that we can import food, so "is it necessary or desirable that food is produced in this country"? Capital investment and skills are being lost as profitability decreased which will have an affect on sustainability and countryside care. He felt there was a need for another agricultural revolution and increase in research especially involving GM crops - food production needs to be increased on present land, if not, wild areas will be farmed. Water resources will be a major issue as 2/5 of world food is produced on irrigated land and with the need for biofuels there will be the issue of fuel v food.

Robin Page
Pre-conference, after dinner speaker, Robin Page, spoke about the care of the countryside and attitudes towards the use of land.

Welsh Assembly
A visit to the Welsh Assembly was attended by approximately 35 members. The design of the new building, the workings of the assembly and the educational facilities were explained to the delegates.