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Back British farmers at home and abroad, government told

Farm leaders have called for a government commitment that Britain’s food production will not slip below its current level of 60% self-sufficiency.

The NFU made the call on Back British Farming Day – Wednesday 15 September – as it launched a report highlighting the importance of domestic food production and its contribution to food security.

NFU president Minette Batters said it was vital that the government demonstrated greater ambition in promoting British food at home and abroad – and praised the efforts of growers and livestock producers in feeding the nation.

“British farmers produce some of the best food in the world. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it is produced to incredibly high environmental, animal welfare, traceability, and food safety standards – something not every country is able to say.”

Over the past few years, too little importance had been placed on Britain’s food production, said Mrs Batters. This had been all too clear as the country has seen self-sufficiency in food drop from 78% in the mid-1980s to just 60% today.

“As an island nation which is very well suited for quality food production, it would be a mistake to let that happen again and become even more reliant on the rest of the world to feed us,” said Mrs Batters.

The NFU wants the government to complete a comprehensive study on UK food security later this year – covering the country’s production of key foods and its contribution to global food security.

It says this would be the first proper assessment of UK food security in over a decade – and the first under the Agriculture Act that requires reporting every three years.

Public procurement

The NFU argues that the UK could reduce its reliance on food imports by harnessing opportunities for different home-grown foods and increasing British sourcing in public procurement –

TV star turned farmer Jeremy Clarkson with NFU president Minette Batters on Back British Farming Day

such as schools and hospitals.

It also wants the government to introduce more ambitious food and trade strategies that will help farmers provide more quality, affordable and climate-friendly food to people at home and abroad.

Mrs Batters said: “Delivering a comprehensive report into food security and taking appropriate action in response would show the government is serious and ambitious about boosting sustainable food production in Britain.”

Food export plan unveiled by Defra

Plans to help growers and livestock producers boost food exports were announced by Defra to mark Back British Farming Day.

The UK agri-food sector contributes around £20bn in exports each year, but only 20% of companies sell goods overseas. Defra said its initiative would help farmers access the UK’s export potential.

The plan includes more dedicated “agrifood attaches” to act as representatives on the ground to unlock key markets across the world.

Defra says it will also encourage farmers to strengthen their technical expertise and understanding of export markets to ensure food and drink exporters are able to benefit from market opportunities.

Defra secretary George Eustice said: “Our farmers are the lifeblood of our nation – producing home grown food and acting as stewards of our natural environment. We want people at home and abroad to be lining up to buy British.”

Criminal gangs in mass raid on region’s farms

• Thieves target £10k satellite systems • As many as 40 machines targeted • Farmers urged to upgrade security

Roving criminal gangs are again targeted farms to steal satellite navigation systems worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Raids on farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire last month saw as many as 40 machines broken into and GPS systems stolen in a single night. Victims included the Elveden estate, near Thetford.

NFU Mutual is advising farmers to be extra vigilant, remove systems where possible and return machinery to locked sheds or out of sight. The rural insurer is also working with police to combat the problem.

The cost of claims for stolen GPS systems almost doubled to £2.9m last year, said NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Rebecca Davidson. Determined gangs using new tactics could lead to even higher losses this year, she added.

Avoiding detection

“Criminal gangs are hitting farms hard in one county and quickly moving to another to avoid detection. The roving gangs are stealing all makes and models of GPS control units, together with screens and domes.”

Ms Davidson said the thieves had been taking advantage of the busy harvest to identify targets as farmers were working flat out to get crops in and use tractors and combine harvesters away from the farmstead.

“These thefts are incredibly disruptive to farmers particularly when several GPS kits are taken in one raid,” she said.

“GPS is a vital tool for modern farming and without the sophisticated equipment to guide tractors and combines, harvesting and cultivating work can be subject to delays while new equipment is sourced and fitted.”

Farmers are being urged to watch out for signs of strangers in farmyards and fields checking out kit – before returning to steal it armed with knowledge of where tractors are kept, and any security measures in place.

Home-grown criminals

DC Chris Piggott, of the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), said GPS theft was an international crime. “There are also home-grown criminals stealing GPS systems as people turn to criminal activity to make a quick buck.”

With funding from NFU Mutual, NaVCIS is supporting operations to tackle organised agricultural machinery crime and is working with overseas police forces to disrupt international crime gangs.

DC Piggott said: “German Police have infiltrated a Lithuanian Organised Crime Gang in conjunction with UK Police assistance, seizing 80 suspected stolen GPS devices from across Europe, 23 of these have been identified as units taken in the UK.

“These criminals are well-organised and know what they are looking for – so it’s essential that farmers remove GPS kit when possible when

Units of all makes and models are being targeted

Advice to protect GPS systems

Activate PIN security on GPS kit with your own unique number if available If your system is not pin enabled, mark your postcode to deter thieves and trace your property back to you Keep tractors and combines with GPS fitted stored out of sight when possible Remove GPS kit when possible from tractors and other machinery and store it securely when not in use Record serial numbers and photograph your kit Check serial numbers of second-hand kit offered for sale Report sightings of suspicious activity in fields and farmyards to police [source: NFU Mutual] it’s not in use and store it securely. It’s also well worth beefing up security in farmyards, machinery sheds and on tractors.”

Security measures

PIN security codes on GPS kit should be activated where possible. On older models without PIN security, farmers should mark kit with farm names and postcodes in indelible ink to make it harder for thieves to sell on.

“High demand for GPS equipment is fuelling this type of crime and we are urging people to do careful checks on the sellers before purchasing second-hand items online,” said DC Piggott.

“Anyone considering a purchase should get photos showing serial numbers before parting with any money and check with the manufacturer that it is not recorded stolen on their system before completing the transaction.

“We also urge farmers to report suspicious activity including drones over farms, vehicles visiting that are not known to the farm, or trespassers on 101, and if a crime is taking place call 999.”