Winter2008

A host of exciting things to do in

London Events over the next few weeks include: 4 December - 20 January Cinderella Old Vic, Waterloo Road 0870 060 6628 www.oldvictheatre.com Until 12 January Jack and the Beanstalk Barbican, Silk Street 0845 120 7550 www.barbican.org.uk 5 December - 27 January The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Gielgud, Shaftesbury Avenue 0870 950 0915 www.nicholasnicklebyplay.com 6 December - 12 January Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin Playhouse, Northumberland Av. 0870 060 6631 www.tintinshow.co.uk 7 December - 20 January Snow White Wimbledon, The Broadway 0870 060 6646 www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk

Now running: Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Adelphi Theatre, Strand Tel: 0844 412 4651 www.josephthemusical.com Now running: The Lion King Lyceum Theatre Wellington St Tel: 0844 844 0005 www.thelionking.co.uk Now running: Grease Piccadilly, Denman St Tel: 0844 412 6600 www.greasethemusical.co.uk Still running: Mamma Mia! Prince of Wales Theatre Coventry Street Tel: 0844 482 5115 www.mamma-mia.com

While in the Capital why not stay, dine and relax at YOUR Club

EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel answers questions from Club members

Remember, you can now book to stay on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights up to six months in advance

See pages 4 - 6

To book to stay or dine at the Club call reception on

020 7930 3557 (Please note Club closure dates on page 23)

Dinner is now available from 6pm Monday to Friday

inside…

For further events go to www.visitlondon.com More details about The Farmers Club at www.thefarmersclub.com

• Annual Report and Accounts • Theatre visit and supper application form on page 22 Please note your individual Club membership number, printed on your Journal envelope. You 25 will need it to access the members’ section of the Club website at www.thefarmersclub.com

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS • Julian Sayers

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS • Julian Sayers

THE FARMERS CLUB Over 160 years of service to farming

New Defra team shifts responsibility for farming back to the House of Commons

3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL

contents

Patron – Her Majesty The Queen

2 Chairman’s Comments Julian Sayers ends his year as Chairman by writing about the new Defra team, the EU Health Check, recent prestigious events, the Harvest Festival and forthcoming Club seminars.

this will give the new team more time to focus on food production and the wider rural economy. If so, this needs to be in a constructive and supportive way, without adding to the bureaucracy which producers face day to day.

4 Mariann Fischer Boel EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commission Mariann Fischer Boel answers questions put to her by members of The Farmers Club Committee.

6 Help the honey bee NFU Horticulture Adviser Chris Hartfield calls on Defra to provide more funding for research into honey bee health and asks Club members for support.

8 Rural energy revolution Scottish Club member Maitland Mackie outlines his plans for producing wind-generated energy from rural areas across the UK and invites members to join in.

10 Food policy vital Ralph Early, of Harper Adams, examines threats to the basic need of people to be able feed themselves, concluding that there’s a need for a clear, coherent and comprehensive national food policy.

12 Oxford Farming Conference Press Officer Jane Craigie gives a taster for the 2009 OFC, focusing on market forces under the chairmanship of Club Committee member Teresa Wickham.

14 Threat to soil health Denis Chamberlain provides an insight into the findings of an RASEcommissioned report on soil health, which warns that action is needed to prevent and redress its deterioration.

16 Benefit from e-learning Nicole Tranter used a Club Charitable Trust bursary to visit Austria and investigate the use of e-learning in further education courses.

18 Chef’s Corner 19 Under 30s 20 Whitehall Court Ramblings 21 Information and Diary Dates

Disclaimer: The articles published in The Farmers Club Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of The Farmers Club. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in the magazine can be accepted by the publisher. Advertisements are included in ‘good faith’. All rights reserved.

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Let’s hope we don’t lose the plain speaking, honesty and support we had come to expect from Lord Rooker.

I FIND it hard to believe that this is the last of my articles for the Journal, as I head towards the end of my term of office after an exciting and rewarding year. I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my chairmanship and, in particular, meeting members at the Club and at events held around the country.

I will remember 2008 for many years to come… as I am sure others will, but for very different reasons. Long hours have been spent struggling through this year’s harvest, together with the autumn planting, and I sympathise with those involved.

Thank goodness for loyal staff and the resilience of our farming families.

When coupled with rising costs, volatile prices and the financial problems we are facing around the world, the year is certainly not ending up as many of us had envisaged back in January. I will not seek to predict what is going to happen over the next two months, let alone during 2009, but as the song says “it can only get better”, albeit with the word “eventually” added on the end.

Changed portfolios On the political front we have seen a major shake up in the Defra team, with only Hilary Benn remaining in post following Gordon Brown’s reshuffle. As you will know, he is now supported by Jane Kennedy, Huw Irranca-Davies and Lord Hunt. Interestingly, their portfolios have changed, with farming issues moving from the House of Lords to the Commons, as many of Lord Rooker’s former responsibilities now rest with Jane Kennedy.

We have also seen the establishment of the new Department of Energy and Climate Change, which has assumed responsibility for part of Defra’s previous brief. Perhaps

In addition to the reshuffle, Hilary Benn has set up the Council of Food Policy Advisors, which will sit alongside the new National Economic Council. This body is designed to advise the Government on the affordability, security of supply and the environmental impact of food production.

Such an examination of our industry has not taken place since the Second World War and it will be interesting to hear what the Council has to say in due course. We will then need to examine how this will impact upon farming and horticultural businesses, as growers seek to grapple with current market conditions.

Questions answered I am delighted that Mariann Fischer Boel, the EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner, kindly agreed to answer a series of questions posed by our Club Committee members and Editor in this edition of the Journal before she steps down next year.

We are, of course, awaiting the outcome of the CAP Health Check, to which she refers, and while a settlement is expected

by December, the legal text will follow some months later. Only then will we know exactly how these further reforms will impact on UK farming, but you will note the reference to money being moved from direct payments to the rural development pot.

Prestigious events I have recently had the pleasure of hosting two events at the Club to recognise those who have played an important part in our agricultural industry in recent years.

First, the Committee lunch held in honour of the past presidents, current officers and the Director General of the NFU to mark

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

the organisation’s centenary year. This provided an opportunity to pay tribute to those present for all they have achieved and continue to contribute towards the work of our principle farming organisation. They are, of course, ably supported by many members and the hard working team of staff behind the scenes.

It was interesting to reflect upon what happened while each president was at the helm of the union, from Lord Plumb back in the 1970s when we joined the then EEC through to Tim Bennett, who moved the organisation out of London to its new home at Stoneleigh Park.

Second, a dinner was held for the past chairmen of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, who were joined by three presidents, as well as Pam and Tanner Shields, all of whom have served the movement over the past 20 years.

The Young Farmers remains the youth movement of our countryside, fulfilling many important roles, not least introducing members from non-farming backgrounds to the world of agriculture. Many of those who lead our industry today learned important life skills through the organisation, and I am certainly proud to have been a Young Farmer.

Dinner for past chairmen of NFYFC

Three Past Presidents of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, 15 Past Chairmen, current Chairman Bryce MacKellar, and federation doyens Tanner and Pam Shields, spent a very lively and entertaining evening at the Club in mid October as dinner guests of Club Chairman Julian Sayers… NFYFC Chairman himself back in 1991. Our picture shows them gathered for pre-dinner drinks in the Cumber Room, before heading to dine on Sea Fish Terrine, Medallions of Yorkshire Venison, and Apple and Raisin Tart, in the Eastwood Room.

Only four of the 20 NFYFC Chairman were unable to make what was a most memorable evening. filled with much good-natured fun and laughter.

Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers. I wish John every success during his year while flying the flag for the farming industry in the City of London.

Harvest Service This year’s Harvest Festival Service - held in the beautifully restored church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields - and the supper that followed back at the Club were attended by 100 members and their guests. The preacher and Club member, The Right Reverend Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover, who is also the Bishop of the Falkland Islands, reminded us of our social responsibilities in these difficult times.

We should not blame society for our current ills without remembering that we are part of the society in question, he told us. His amusing and thought-provoking sermon left us all with clear messages to ponder upon.

To reinforce our links with the Livery companies, allied to the agricultural industry, we were joined by nine masters and a number of clerks, including John Thorpe who that day had been clothed as

Seminar series The Club seminar this year will be entitled ‘Food and Fuel from Agriculture’, with speakers Professor Keith Waldron from the Food Chain Exploitation Platform Institute of Food Research; Paul Temple, vice president of the NFU; and Alwyn Hughes, CEO of Ensus, which should provoke a lively debate. This will be reported in the New Year edition of the Journal, so watch this space.

The intention next year is to hold a series of seminars, which will be advertised in the Journal. Their timing, late afternoon at the Club, will hopefully enable members to attend, either having spent the day in London or after a day’s work elsewhere.

Golf remains an important part of the Club’s programme and I was delighted, therefore, to join members taking part in the Mixed Autumn Meeting, held at the

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

Mentmore and Ashridge Golf Clubs, for their concluding dinner. Thanks must go to John Pigott, our Golf Captain, his wife Jessie, and Deputy Secretary Robert Buckolt for organising such an excellent competition, as well as the other golf outings held this year.

I wish my successor, John Reynolds, every success during his year as Chairman, when I know the Club will be in good hands. I would like to take this opportunity to thank John and his wife, Janet, for all their support during my year.

I also wish to pay tribute to the Vice Presidents, Trustees, Committee Members and staff, all of whom work tirelessly to ensure the Club goes from strength to strength.

Last, but by no means least, a note of appreciation to Stephen Skinner who joined us back in April and with whom I have had the pleasure of working ever since. Stephen has settled in well at the Club, and is ensuring that the organisation continues to evolve for the benefit of members.

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CLUB’S QUESTIONS ANSWERED • Mariann Fischer Boel

CLUB’S QUESTIONS ANSWERED • Mariann Fischer Boel

Farmers Club Committee members were invited to put their questions to EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. Here are the questions submitted and the Commissioner’s straight-to-the-point, unaltered, answers.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel answers questions put by Club Committee members Which issue does the Commissioner think is the most important facing EU farmers over the next decade, and why?

As the world gets smaller and farmers around the world become more competitive, the great challenge for European farmers will be to find ways to stay one step ahead of the competition. This will require us to play to our strengths. And for me, the greatest strength our farmers have is the extremely high quality of what they produce.

Our farmers face considerable expectations from consumers, that they will produce according to very tough environmental and animal welfare norms and produce excellent quality. While this adds to the costs involved, it can also be a virtue.

We need to communicate better and encourage consumers to put their money where their mouth is and be prepared to buy our superb food and drink products.

There are massive opportunities in the emerging markets, which we also need to tap into. This isn't just a question of better promotion. We also need to give farmers room in which to innovate and use new technologies. That way, we will be able to exploit the advantages we have, while producing in a sustainable fashion and responding to growing demand for food.

With the increasing demands for food and fuel, how does the Commissioner see the EU balancing the need for increased production with its environmental objectives?

We think we have struck a good balance between these two requirements, and part of the thinking behind the 'Health Check' of 4

the Common Agricultural Policy is to do even better.

We have responded to the need for more production by proposing to remove the remaining restrictions – such as set-aside and milk quotas – which limited farmers' ability to respond to market signals. But in order not to diminish the positive environmental benefits of set-aside, we have proposed new measures under socalled 'cross compliance', for example to require farmers to protect strips of land next to waterways.

The Health Check also proposes shifting more money away from direct payments and into the Rural Development budget in order to meet the new challenges faced by farmers – not least climate change, water management, the loss of biodiversity and the need to produce more 'green' energy.

We believe we can meet our target for biofuels production without a major diversion away from food production – not least because we are looking to move as quickly as possible to the second generation of biofuels.

How is the CAP addressing the conflicting issues of the environment, biofuels and food security?

As explained above, these issues need not be mutually exclusive. We protect the environment through Rural Development policy and the exacting standards we require from farmers in return for receiving direct payments.

We are acting in the Health Check to free farmers to meet growing demand, through ending quotas and set-aside and further

breaking the link between subsidies and production. And we can reach our target that 10 percent of transport fuels should be renewable by 2020 without a detrimental effect on food production. Yields are rising, set-aside is being got rid of, and previously unused land in many new EU Member States is coming back into production.

Crucially, we want to shift as fast as possible to second generation biofuels, which are produced from waste and by-products. We will also import some of our needs from sustainable sources overseas.

What are your views on GM crops and if or when they are likely to be allowed to be grown on a commercial scale within the EU?

My views on GMOs are that they are a reality that we need to deal with in a scientific and rational way. We have a very strict system for approving, tracing and labelling GMOs in the EU. This should allow farmers and consumers to make an informed choice.

Clearly, many people have concerns about GMOs. That's why we need to have a very open discussion about them. I believe we need to ensure that our system works as quickly and efficiently as possible, without in any way undermining the effectiveness of the scientific analysis on which it is based.

I see a distinction between the cultivation of GMOs in Europe and their import for use in animal feed. If exporting countries increasingly move over to varieties which are not approved in the EU, that will make it much more expensive for European meat producers to buy feed. That would have the

“My views on GMOs are that they are a reality that we need to deal with in a scientific and rational way.”

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

perverse effect of putting our own farmers out of business, while increasing imports of meat from animals fed with the very feedstuffs we don't allow here. That would be the worst of all worlds.

The reality is that around 80 percent of the soy-based feed we import is already derived from GMOs.

What role are GM crops likely to have in the future, both within the EU and globally?

GMOs are already here. They are being grown more and more across the world and we need to deal with them in a responsible and scientific way, while taking account of people's genuine concerns.

Europe looks likely to have a reserved attitude towards growing GMOs for the foreseeable future. But if they are well managed, I think they can play a role in increasing yields, cutting chemical use and helping production in difficult growing conditions.

Do you agree that the CAP needs to be common and simple and that renationalisation is not a good idea, and how will you achieve this?

I agree absolutely. I firmly believe that we need to maintain a common agricultural policy, even after 2013, when the new EU budget period begins.

Renationalisation would not achieve what its advocates believe. It would undermine the level playing field we enjoy at the moment as some countries would support farming far more than others. And I'm not convinced it would necessarily reduce overall farm spending.

We have already made huge strides in simplifying the CAP and that is a campaign we will continue. The Health Check includes a number of initiatives which will make the policy simpler.

EU farm ministers recently had a debate on the future of the CAP after 2013. I was pleased to see that the overwhelming view was that we need a common policy. I will continue to campaign for this.

“We have already made huge strides in simplifying the CAP and that is a campaign we will continue.”

How will the Commission reflect the new concern for food security in its policy development, including improving the competitiveness of agriculture through less regulation?

We have already reflected the concern for food security through proposals such as the abolition of set-aside, the gradual phaseout of milk quotas and a move towards greater decoupling of farm payments.

CAP simplification is an ongoing process,

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which will receive a new fillip with the Health Check.

We need smarter regulation. This does not mean we can drop all regulation. We are paying out billions of euros of public money and need rules to ensure it is spent correctly. Of course, such rules should be as light as possible.

The decoupling of support from production means that farmers continue to receive income support from the EU but are free to innovate and follow market signals. The positive effects on their competitiveness are there for all to see.

Continued overleaf…

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CLUB’S QUESTIONS ANSWERED • Mariann Fischer Boel

BEE CRISIS • Chris Hartfield

statistics at this stage. The Commission will work hard to find a solution which strikes the right balance. We must avoid imposing restrictions on food production in Europe.

The Commission believes that its proposals are an incentive for the development of new, safer products. It's in no-one's interest to reduce productivity in the current situation.

What is the EU doing to ensure that there is a continuous and plentiful supply of essential water to farming and food production? What long-term plans are being made in the event of a world fresh water shortage?

“We want to transfer more money from direct payments to Rural Development to meet the costs of better water management.”

What are your views on the European Parliament proposals to rescind the licences for up to 80% of agricultural chemicals? Is this likely to have any effect on the quality, taste and safety of food produced?

One of the main aims of the proposal on pesticides – which was prepared by my Commission colleague Androulla Vassiliou - is to improve protection for humans, animals and the environment. The European Parliament has proposed extending the criteria for approving active substances, but we in the Commission have partly or totally rejected these ideas.

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The UK has carried out an Impact Assessment comparing the effects of what was proposed by the Commission and the proposals as amended by the Parliament.

This analysis is based only on a worst case scenario, which is unrealistic. Whatever happens, we will strive for the best possible compromise, which must take full account of the quality, taste and safety of the food we produce.

What statistics, if any, are available on how curtailing chemical use will affect food production within the EU at a time when there are world food shortages?

We still don't know the final outcome of the revision to the pesticides legislation so it is impossible to give any hard and fast

The Commission is aware that the availability of irrigation may be critical to the viability of small farms in some parts of Europe. This is why the CAP contains several instruments, such as support for investments, that can help farmers put in place efficient irrigation systems.

Of course, irrigation alone cannot manage droughts, and changes in farming practices and cropping patterns may also be needed to adapt to future water and climatic conditions. The CAP contains other tools, such as agri-environmental measures, to achieve this.

Better water management is one of the new challenges identified in the Health Check proposals. We want to transfer more money from direct payments to Rural Development to meet the costs of better water management. A new standard of good agricultural and environmental conditions will require the respect of authorisation procedures for using water for irrigation. Under the Water Framework Directive, Member States have to establish drought management plans.

At the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the EU launched a Water Initiative (EUWI) designed to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and targets for drinking water and sanitation.

The EU is committed to helping to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water and the proportion of people who do not have access to adequate sanitation.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Honey bees in a crisis

and need YOUR help YOU WILL, no doubt, have read over the summer a number of s t a r k headlines such as ‘Crops under threat as parasites kill off a third of Britain's bees’, ‘Honeybee population collapses in UK as one in three hives wiped out in a year’ and ‘English honey supplies to run out

by Christmas’.

Our honey bees, indeed, along with bee populations across the globe, are in crisis.

And this is a crisis that we should all be rightly concerned about.

Einstein is much reported as saying that, if bees disappear, mankind will follow within a few years. While Einstein's predictions are possibly a little out of date (considering he died more than half a century ago), there is no doubt about the importance of honey bee populations in the UK. Government’s own figures put a conservative estimate of £165m on the value of UK horticultural and agricultural pollination provided by honey bees. This figure doesn't take account of the significant benefit honey bees also provide to the environment, pollinating a wide variety of plants.

Top bee scientists believe that honey bees likely provide more than half of the pollination of wild plants on which the majority of other wildlife ultimately depends.

Neither is there any doubt that the future of honey bee populations is seriously threatened, and that urgent action is needed now. In the past 100 years the number of honey bee colonies in Britain has gone down by 75 per cent. In the past year alone, beekeepers have seen their colony losses increase by around 20 per cent.

All the key bee keeping stakeholders in the UK (including the NFU, the Bee Farmers’ Association, the British Beekeepers’ Association, and the principal honey packer, Rowse Honey) are agreed that pests and disease are the principal threat facing honey bees.

As with all crises, the finger of blame gets pointed in all sorts of directions, many of which with little or no justification. The decline of honey bee populations is no different, and a number of potential ‘culprits' have been blamed, including pesticides, GM technology, climate and environmental change, and even the electronic and magnetic fields from power pylons and/or mobile telephones.

Among this confusion of theories one thing is clear… the distinct lack of evidence that any of these factors is the cause of the current crisis.

It is true that, in mainland Europe, bee deaths have been linked to pesticides, and this has attracted some high profile attention. However, when you investigate this further, you find the problem is due not to pesticides per se, but to the misapplication of a particular chemical.

Our own Government agencies have underlined this fact by saying that “use [of pesticides] in line with the approved conditions of use should pose minimal risk to bees”. Quite simply, there is no conclusive evidence that pesticides are to blame for the decline of bee populations.

Conversely, there is very clear evidence that honey bee populations are being destroyed by pests and disease. And all involved in this issue need to be clear that effort must be focussed on the urgent action required against these known and proven reasons for honey bee decline.

the funding pays for Defra statutory activities in the form of the inspectorate.

Only about £200,000 is available for research and development, and this research focuses on statutory obligations.

In other words, little or nothing is being done in terms of the major R&D priorities outlined above.

The NFU believes the current level of Government funding in the area of bee health research is, quite simply, inadequate. That is why we have joined the other bee keeping stakeholders to call for an increase in Defra funding.

Considering the honey bees’ contribution to productivity, the decreasing Government support in this area is of significant concern to all of us, particularly in the face of renewed interest in food security and world food supplies.

Global trade and the mobility of bees and their pests and diseases means that, if we are encountering problems with bee populations in the UK, they are being encountered worldwide. So inadequate pollination of fruit crops would not only lead to shortages causing the cost of UK crops to increase, but worldwide shortages causing the cost of imports also to increase.

If you would like to add your voice to those already lobbying Government to increase its funding for bee health research, please sign the petition available from the British Beekepeers’ Association website at www.britishbee.org.uk/bbka_research_ca mpaign.php • Chris Hartfield is the NFU Horticultural Adviser, with responsibility for bees.

He can be contacted by telephoning 024 7685 8630 or by emailing Chris.Hartfield@nfu.org.uk

This is why the NFU and all the other key stakeholders in the UK are calling for Defra to increase funding for bee health research by £8m over five years. This equates to less than 1% of the £825 million value of pollination provided to British agriculture by honey bees over the same period.

Much of this research would be targeted at the major R&D priorities, which are Varroa control (a parasitic mite), Nosema control (a disease), and bee breeding (which could contribute solutions to both Varroa and Nosema).

Current funding of the UK bee health programme is around £1.8m, of which about £750,000 is EU funding. The bulk of

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RURAL SECTOR WINGEN • Maitland Mackie

RURAL SECTOR WINGEN • Maitland Mackie

Club member Maitland Mackie is well known for his delicious Mackie’s Ice Cream, produced on his Aberdeenshire dairy farm. Now, this most energetic of men is turning his attention to the wind-generated production of energy from rural areas across the UK… and he’s asking for your help.

Visit www.wingen.co.uk to share in

energy revolution for rural people around the country in the UK. But we are just tinkering at the edges.

The current level of investment (installed, under construction or consented) in onshore wind generation in the UK is projected to deliver circa 2gW of the 85gW of electricity used in the UK each year.

WE ARE at the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. The challenge of climate change is dwarfed by the enormity of the looming energy crisis. Oil output has peaked and the world is swallowing up nine barrels of oil for every one barrel from new finds.

And it’s not just energy. Half of the food we consume is derived from oil. In effect, we eat oil. Ammonia nitrate is totally dependent on gas and oil; without it we only have the capability of feeding half of the world’s current population of 6.3 billion.

Looking to the future, the world population is projected to grow to 9 billion by 2050, and we are already seeing the increased energy demands of the burgeoning economies of China and the Pacific Basin.

Progress is being hampered by a lack of vision and an archaic planning system which is something politicians need to address as a matter of urgency. The frustration, time and cost in securing planning permission – or, worse, not achieving it – is a national scandal for a Government which claims to be committed to meeting international renewable energy targets.

There is another potential 2gWs stuck in the planning process, at a cost of near £1 million before the applicants have dealt with birds, bats, badgers and councils.

Local authorities need to be given the power to fast-track planning applications.

Of course, genuine concerns have to be taken into account, but nimbyism is no longer an option.

My own enthusiasm for wind energy has been triggered by the huge, unparalleled success of a £2.5 million investment in three wind turbines on our family farm which now power the farming and ice-cream manufacturing operations, with surplus electricity fed back through the grid to the electricity retail sector.

The reduction in our dependence on conventional sources of energy and the contribution of wind energy to our energy requirements is dramatically illustrated in the histogram below.

The blue is electricity purchased. Yellow is the use of our own wind-generated electricity. Green is the surplus sold through the grid to ‘Good Energy@’... a ‘green’ company that sells it on to carbonconscious users.

The performance achieved will enable us to pay back the whole investment in three to four years.

This has convinced me that the rural sector is missing out on a huge opportunity to make a major contribution towards solving the energy crisis in the UK, while at the same time harnessing the massive profits from wind generation for the benefit of individuals and communities in the rural sector.

The big power companies are doing their best to secure options on the best sites by dangling seemingly attractive rental deals in front of farmers and owners of land. In reality, we are being ripped off and left with the crumbs while the big companies generate huge profits.

We own the one thing they need – the land – and should be in a position to secure the lion’s share of the substantial profits being made from wind generation.

Armageddon is staring us in the face and most of us – including the politicians – have not yet faced up to the reality of the crisis.

The proposal is that we create a major new wind generating company, Rural Sector Wingen Ltd (the company has already been registered), owned and controlled by the rural sector, to create a network of wind generators throughout the country to supply a large chunk of the UK’s energy requirements. The company has the potential to become one of the biggest power generators in Europe.

It’s a big plan but eminently achievable.

One can envisage a potential investment of up to £270 billion in 90,000 3mW ‘wingens’ over the next 12 years… enough to generate up to 90gW of electricity – more than the UK’s current requirement – which would have the affect of reducing UK carbon emissions by 300 million tonnes a year.

Now this ‘full monty’ of 90,000 3mW generators (wingens), agreed, is a touch unrealistic. It equates to one generator per square mile of UK land base. But even a quarter of this target would make an immense contribution to meeting the country’s renewable energy targets.

What is required in the first instance is a commitment from farmers and owners of land to give the company first option on suitable sites and for them and other rural community groups to invest £10 million in ‘green’ shares – say a minimum of £1,000 from 10,000 farmers – to get the company off the ground. Crucially, for the company to have first call on the majority of the potential sites in the UK, delivers it enormous commercial and political power.

The company would be responsible for progressing planning applications, and investors will receive site rentals which will at least match rents being offered by other companies, with the big additional advantage of owning and sharing in the profits of a new, growing company which are projected at 20% rate of return.

It is also hoped to make arrangements for site owners to source electricity at the wholesale rather than the retail price, which in itself will go a long way to recouping the initial investment.

Massive investment – trillions of pounds – in new environmentally-friendly energy sources is required. Solar, tidal, wind (on both land and sea), nuclear and geothermal will all be required. But land-based wind power is now proven technology and is by far the least expensive, most effective and fastest in generating renewable energy as old energy sources run out.

A high-powered team of technical, business and financial experts is being assembled to drive the initiative forward, but the key will be the support of the rural community. To move the proposal forward from a paper exercise to reality requires the land-owning sector, in particular, and the rural sector, in general, to demonstrate a clear willingness to fund the initial capital requirement.

Of course, some progress has been made and we have many commendable but smallscale wind energy developments dotted 8

So how can this objective be achieved?

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Maitland Mackie with the three wind turbines on his Aberdeenshire farm (above). The first was erected in May 05 and the other two in July 07. Is there gold at the end of the rainbow? (inset)

Only when we have sufficient commitment will investment offers be taken up to provide the start-up finance for the recruitment of an executive team.

The scale of the operation will enable the company to attract the best technical, financial and administrative management available, with the huge advantage of massive buying and financing power and the possibility of substantial control of the electricity output price. We will, in effect, become price makers rather than price takers.

It is also envisaged that the manufacture of wind generators, each costing £1 million/mW, could help regenerate depressed industrial areas, such as Clydeside, Tyneside and Teeside, and create substantial employment opportunities.

Downstream activity could include the capability to store surplus ‘windy day’ energy as hydrogen for transport energy and the manufacture of ammonia nitrate fertiliser. And co-ordinating joint activity with waste plant methane generation operations starts to address the ‘when there is no wind’ question.

Rural Sector Wingen Ltd offers farmers, landowners - everyone in rural areas - the opportunity of collective action to create and own a new, highly-remunerative power

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

generating company and to share the rewards with the wider rural community.

Potential site owners becoming start-up shareholders will not only have the rental income from their sites but access to the full potential of wind generation and not just the ‘pea-nut’ end of it.

I would urge all those with potential sites to resist the blandishments of the major energy companies - at least until we know if our initiative garners enough support to go ahead – and register your interest (without commitment) at www.wingen.co.uk where full details of the project can be viewed.

No money will be required until the decision is made to proceed, which probably will be early in the New Year. This project will only go ahead if there is indication of widespread support for it.

Time is not on our side. We in rural areas – farmers, landowners, rural dwellers, community groups, etc – need to get our act together fast before the City and big business steal our show.

• For more details go to www.wingen.co.uk or call Club member Maitland Mackie on 01467 671466 (office), 01467 671647 (home), 07974 975240 (mobile) or email him at maitland@wingen.co.uk 9

FOOD POLICY • Ralph Early

FOOD POLICY • Ralph Early

Ralph Early, of Harper Adams University College, starts his article by referring to Article 25 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which recognises that people have a right to food. He goes on to discuss threats to that right, concluding that there is an urgent need for Britain to develop a clear, coherent and comprehensive food policy in order to continue to be fed.

Food policy: a short overview of a critically important topic

Low household income is a major cause of food poverty. So is low educational achievement. Lack of knowledge about how to create a balanced diet and lack of skills needed to handle and prepare nutritious meals can mean that convenience foods replace good food.

As supermarkets have put local stores out of business and focussed their development in wealthier areas, so have food deserts appeared. In food deserts, poor families that cannot afford cars, and where public transport is limited, shop infrequently and buy energy dense foods (convenience foods, snack foods and confectionery) instead of more nutritious foods.

Food poverty is a key issue of food policy that requires action for the common good.

Sadly, not all food policy decisions are made for the common good. Strange it is that supermarkets have been allowed to develop out of town, thereby necessitating car ownership for the weekly food shop, when it is clear that oil is running out.

Imports risky At the micro level, food security coordinates with food poverty. At the macro level, it concerns the ability of a nation to obtain the food it needs.

Traditional pasture or a weedy field? Tension will inevitably exist between food production objectives and environmental protection.

ARTICLE 25 of The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights 1948 recognises that people have a right to food.

All biological organisms need to consume food to live, grow and reproduce. Human beings are no exception.

If we fail to obtain food of a sufficient quantity and quality our health and well-being will decline. Even the threat of being unable to find food, or living in circumstances where food cannot be obtained with dignity, will reduce our sense of well-being and endanger health.

Of all human needs food is the most obvious and fundamental. It is necessary to life and it speaks of who we are. The food we select indicates, for instance, our level of education and socio-economic class. More broadly, it defines the cultures and societies in which we live. In many ways food serves as the foundation upon which society is based.

We can be sure that if food supplies were to fail, social order would rapidly decay. We would be condemned to living in circumstances which, to borrow from Thomas Hobbes, would be “a state of nature” and “war of all against all” where 10

life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”.

In article 25, the UN establishes an ethical position which recognises a human right.

The assertion of a ‘right’ brings the need to identify a co-ordinate ‘obligation’. If humans have a right to food, then who bears the obligation or duty to ensure that the right is upheld?

The answer is, of course, governments, for governments bear the duty to ensure that the populations they serve are provided with food adequate to health and wellbeing. Sadly, even in the 21st century this does not always happen.

The unfolding tragedy in Zimbabwe is a case in point. For some political leaders human rights count for nothing, and food can be made a weapon of political will as easily as the Kalashnikov rifle.

In democratic societies the provision of food that meets the needs of all in society should form the cornerstone of executive policy making, as all goods in society flow from a properly nourished population. This was realised in 19th century Britain when fish and chip shops were introduced to

provide better nutrition to the urban working class that powered the Industrial Revolution.

Such action was an early example of food policy which has continued to develop to the present day. But what exactly is food policy?

Policy concerns the principles and associated courses of action taken by governments and organisations. In basic terms, food policy ought to encompass government decision making and actions intended to ensure that all citizens are adequately fed with nutritious and safe food, obtained from reliable, secure, sustainable and environmentally responsible sources.

Social poverty Food poverty concerns the inability of people to obtain food in socially acceptable ways and the uncertainty of being able to do so. In the UK in 2001-02, about 2.7 million children (21%) lived in households existing in a state of food poverty.

The UK has higher rates of child poverty than most EU countries. Many families are unable to obtain the social goods – including food – to which they are morally entitled.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Britain is around 65% self-sufficient in food and depends upon imports. But can we always rely on other countries to feed us?

As China has become wealthier its demand for better quality food has stimulated commodity food price rises and threatens shortages. Other threats to the food we obtain from the global marketplace include shortages due to global climate change, terrorism and disease.

If avian influenza jumped to humans, would travel be halted to prevent a global pandemic? Such action could drastically reduce food imports and threaten our food supply.

Other food security threats include the loss of farms and skills. As the supermarkets have taken charge of the food supply chain, intense price competition has driven many British farmers and small food processors out of business. Cheaper, foreign supplies have taken their place.

With the loss of farms and food processors we lose production capacity and the skills needed to produce food. If food imports failed, could we make up the difference at home? Redundant farms cannot easily be put back into production, especially when they are under concrete and tarmac.

Even so, if food production knowledge and skills have been lost from society, then we will be in real trouble. Food policy should address such issues.

Obesity problem The UK has an obesity problem. It was entirely predictable. Many food products that ought not to be a common feature of our diets are the ones that make the most profit for manufacturers and retailers.

Inevitably they are the products supported by the largest marketing budgets. They are the products commonly targeted at children whose undeveloped autonomy and vulnerability make them susceptible to sophisticated advertising messages.

The primary socialisation of children by food businesses to ensure brand loyalty and the desire for sugary and fatty foods (fast foods, snack foods, confectionery and fizzy drinks) will have long-term adverse consequences for the health of our nation.

For decades, food policy relating to food and health was concerned with microbial food safety.

What happens to our food security if we lose the pollinating insects?

In conclusion Of all the goods we take for granted in western society, food is one of the few that we cannot do without. Yet so easily have we devalued the importance of food to our health and well-being, and to the maintenance of our social fabric. And so easily have we devalued the expertise of those who know how to grow and produce food.

Obesity is a greater problem and will probably be more costly. Food policy should be concerned with the actions of food businesses in relation to consumers and act for the common good.

Maintaining an adequate food supply for a UK population heading towards 75 million over the next 30 years will be one of the most demanding tasks that any future government faces. Britain will need a clear, coherent and comprehensive food policy if we are to continue to be fed, and if threats to our food supply are to be dealt with.

Sustainable production

A postscript

It is now apparent that modern methods of farming can damage the environment and biodiversity. We value the natural world and recognise that many creatures are essential to our own survival, not least the earthworm and the honey bee. Without the former to create soils and the latter to pollinate flowering plants, our food supply chain would likely collapse.

This year we have seen the global financial system brought to its knees by bankers whose desire for extreme personal wealth was placed above the common good. Can we be sure that the multinational food processors and retailers which now define and control the food supply system will always act for the common good when it comes to our food supply? Could the selfinterest of global food businesses endanger our food supply and food security?

The requirement to produce food sustainably using methods that protect the environment is becoming an important part of food policy consideration, though perhaps not at the speed needed to cause action now to ensure resources for future generations.

Alongside sustainability, biotechnology is proposed by some as the answer to world food problems. Genetic engineering brings potential, but may also bring harms. Both aspects have to be factored into food policy considerations.

Perhaps one of the greatest food policy issues concerns the patenting of life and the ownership of food crops by transnational biotechnology corporations. If such businesses ‘own’ the food supply chain, can we be sure that they will act for the common good?

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

As food policy is developed in the future it must surely take account of where the power lies within the food supply system, and the risks that concentrations of power present for food-related health and wellbeing, and for social stability.

Timely regulation could have prevented the banking disaster of 2008. In relation to food policy, perhaps this experience will ensure that regulation is not too late in coming when man-made threats to our food supply appear.

• Ralph Early is Principal Lecturer in Food Science and Moral Philosophy at Harper Adams University College. He can be contacted by emailing rearly@harperadams.ac.uk 11

OXFORD FARMING CONFERENCE • Jane Craigie

OXFORD FARMING CONFERENCE • Jane Craigie

Club member Jane Craigie, Press Officer for the Oxford Farming Conference, gives a taster of what the organisers have in store for us in 2009, at an event which many within the agricultural industry see as a highlight of, and a perfect start to, the food and farming year. Club members will, as always, be there in profusion.

new technologies in transforming the agrifood sector in Australia.

Market forces, GMOs and consumer communications set to headline the 2009 Oxford Farming Conference Bakkavör is an international food manufacturing company specialising in fresh produce and prepared foods. Ágúst founded Bakkavör with his brother at the age of 22. Under their direction, the group has grown from a small Icelandic raw materials supplier into a leading provider of fresh foods, with a turnover of £1.5 billion in 2007. Bakkavör Group now operates from 62 factories and employs around 20,000 people in 10 countries.

FOLLOWING a year of extreme volatility for British farming, the line up of speakers at the 2009 Oxford Farming Conference is perfectly placed to bring lucidity to the politics and planning for the year ahead.

Scotland, Richard Lochhead, will outline their views on how agricultural, rural and environmental policies could affect farming at national level and within the devolved regions,” adds Mrs Wickham.

“The past twelve months have been a rollercoaster for the industry as the global money and commodity markets have played havoc with input costs, credit availability and property values,” says Teresa Wickham, Chairman of the 2009 conference.

“Taking a wider look at the debate will be Jean-Luc Demarty, Director General of the European Commission’s Agriculture and Rural Development department, and Wayne Jones, the OECD’s Head of the Agro-Food Trade and Markets Division.”

The theme for 2009 is ‘The Future of Farming is in your Hands’ and it will explore how the sector can respond to global market forces and how it might profit from consumer choice. It will also look at how differing approaches to food and rural policy will continue to shape agriculture post devolution.

Successful businesses

“The opening morning will be electric.

Hilary Benn MP and his counterpart from

On the afternoon of the first full day, 6 January, the ‘Market Forces at Work’ session, sponsored by Dairy Crest, will feature Charles Wilson, who joined Booker as Chief Executive in 2005 from Marks & Spencer, where he was Executive Director for Property, IT and Supply Chain, and Ágúst Gudmundsson, Chief Executive at Bakkavör.

Martin Taylor, Chief Executive of Long Clawson Dairy, will continue the market forces debate to shed light on how global markets impact this farmer-owned dairy co-operative. Clawson processes about 50 million litres of milk a year from 45 farms, as well as manufacturing Stilton and other award-winning cheeses, which it supplies to Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Marks and Spencer.

The farm businesses taking to the podium will debate how market forces and opportunities have shaped Mark and Paul Hayward’s Dingley Dell outdoor pork business and Jim Brown’s Borders-based beef enterprise. Both have successfully diversified their businesses to supply butchers and supermarkets.

“For the first time in Oxford’s history, we have commissioned some research (presented by Joanne Denny Finch, Chief Executive of IGD) to understand better the perceptions of British farmers among consumers,” Mrs Wickham explains.

“The study has been kindly sponsored

by Syngenta and will contribute to what will be a lively debate on how the farming industry can improve its communication and image with consumers.

2009 OFC Chairman Teresa Wickham on the left, with 2008 Chairman (and current Club Chairman) Julian Sayers with his wife, Sarah.

“We are also delighted that David Yelland, ex Editor of The Sun and a Partner at the Brunswick Group, has agreed to deliver the keynote paper. Given his experience of the British media, his recommendations are expected to be hard-hitting and incredibly valuable.”

Also within the session, led by Professor David Hughes, Paul Temple, Vice-President of the NFU, will present his views on how well the NFU ‘Farming Matters’ has worked. Explaining their approach to farmbased communications, LEAF farmers Rob Addicott and Jeremy Padfield will discuss how they have engaged with the local community surrounding their Somerset farms to improve the understanding and support for British farming.

Continuing the consumer context, with escalating food prices there has been an inevitable shift in the value choices consumers make and can afford. In light of this, the conference will debate whether the additional costs implied by options such as animal welfare requirements and the denial to farmers of some modern technologies (GMOs, for example) are adequately recognised by consumers and factored into their buying habits.

Tackling the global conundrum of new technologies, such as GMOs, the keynote paper from Dr Bruce Lee is very well timed. Dr Lee heads the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s Future Food Flagships programme, which researches the role of

Following Dr Lee’s paper, there will be a panel debate on GM, which will include Patrick Holden, Director of the Soil Association; Rosie Boycott, ex editor of The Independent; Dr Julian Little, Chairman of the Agricultural Biotech Council; and Shirley Harrison, a beef and arable farmer from Aberdeenshire who has grown GM trial crops on her farm in conjunction with SCRI.

New directors At the OFC AGM on 5 January, before the conference proper begins, the three new directors selected to join council will be ratified, which will bring an eminent vet, a large-scale farmer and a food chain specialist to the 10-strong team.

“For the first time in the conference’s history, applications were invited to fill the new director posts,” says Teresa Wickham.

“As a result, I’m really pleased to welcome our new directors; Professor Bill McKelvey, Chief Executive and Principal of The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC); Lord John De Ramsey, who farms 3,000 acres near Huntingdon; and Cedric Porter, a farm-to-food-chain consultant and ex-editor of Farm Business.

“The 2007 and 2008 conferences were significantly oversubscribed, so I would encourage those wishing to attend in 2009 to book their tickets as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment. We don’t like to turn anybody away, but we are limited on numbers.

“See you at Oxford.”

• To find out more about the 2009 Oxford Farming Conference contact Chairman Teresa Wickham by telephone on 07770 630707 or by emailing teresa@twickham.com Press Officer Jane Craigie can be reached on 01466 780078 or by emailing jane@janecraigie.com

2009 SPEAKERS

5-7 JANUARY 2009

Details: The full conference programme and a booking form can be accessed via the OFC website www.ofc.org.uk where booking forms can also be downloaded.

Alternatively, call secretary Liz Kerrigan on 01932 589804.

Tickets: A two-day conference ticket, with lunch, costs £285, including VAT. Accommodation in college halls is also available, as are tickets for the preconference dinner, the Christ Church College supper and the Oxtail dinner.

Highlights • Lord Heseltine is the speaker at the preconference dinner on 5 January, following a champagne reception sponsored by Ware Anthony Rust.

• The Oxford Union Debate will return, followed by a supper at Christ Church College Hall. Both events are kindly sponsored by Smiths Gore and Birketts LLP. • A head-to-head discussion between the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP and Richard Lochhead, his counterpart from the Scottish Parliament • Big names to tackle how market forces affect business success: Charles Wilson, Chief Executive of Booker; Ágúst Gudmundsson, Chief Executive at Bakkavör; and Martin Taylor, Chief Executive at Long Clawson Dairy.

• Lanarkshire beef farmer, Jim Brown, will offer the farmer’s perspective on market forces at work for his beef supply business.

• A panel debate on GM, animal welfare and profiting from consumer choice • Freedom Food pork farmer Mark Hayward will outline what part animal welfare plays in earning him a premium on the pork products he sells under his Dingley Dell Pork brand.

• IGD research results (kindly sponsored

by Syngenta) to determine the perceptions of farmers among consumers… plus a chance for conference delegates to vote also

Lord Heseltine 12

2009 2009 CONFERENCE

Charles Wilson of Booker

Patrick Holden

Richard Lochhead

Agust Gudmunddsen of Bakkavor

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Joanne Denny Finch

Martin Taylor of Long Clawson

Paul Temple

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

Jeremy Padfield

• Keynote address from David Yelland, ex Editor of The Sun, on strategies to improve consumer perceptions and support for British farmers 13

SOIL HEALTH • Denis Chamberlain

SOIL HEALTH • Denis Chamberlain

Dwindling science base poses growing threat to soil health

From their investigations, the authors conclude there are considerable challenges in meeting the demands of:

THE UK’s soil and water research base has diminished catastrophically from its peak and is now failing to provide the required support for the nation’s farmers and land managers. There is little connection with production agriculture and apparently no coordinated vision for applied research.

requires concentration on good practical knowledge and technology transfer, rather than blue sky research.

iii. climate change

“But that knowledge needs to be communicated by advisers with a good understanding of agricultural and environmental needs, who can design innovative solutions to practical problems.

v. flood and pollution control

“A change in national policy is needed, from being predominantly environment-driven to production in an environmentally sensitive framework. At the same time, a greater proportion of those with sound agriculture, science and engineering backgrounds need to be engaged in formulating the strategy.

In the main, today’s soil scientists were working in areas which concentrate on environmental care rather than productive agriculture. Since the mid 1980s, when Government withdrew financial subsidy for field and the decline in farm profitability began, soil and water management had slipped down the priority list for both managers and policy makers.

That is the conclusion of a report - ‘The Current Status of Soil and Water Management in England - published in late October by The Royal Agricultural Society of England and written by five of the country’s leading soils scientists.

Lead author Professor Richard Godwin, who holds soil science chairs at Cranfield University, the Czech University of Life Science and Harper Adams University College, said it is not just the report that should make people sit up and take notice but the reason it was written.

When he presented the report at a special meeting held at The Farmers Club, Professor Godwin posed four key questions: • Are our soils fit for purpose?

• Is appropriate research in the pipeline?

• Will there be enough specialists to help transfer appropriate knowledge?

• Is new information filtering through to farmers quickly and effectively?

In general terms, he said he was concerned that soils were at risk of becoming unfit for purpose, and, while much of the basic research had been done, the UK did not have the specialists to transfer the knowledge, so farmers simply were not getting the required information presented in ways in which they could make good use of it.

Richard Godwin

“British agriculture is in real danger of abusing its most precious asset… the soil on which it produces the grass for livestock and the crops for food and energy that are now in such keen demand by a burgeoning population both at home and abroad,” he said. “The individual units in the national machinery fleet are getting bigger and the concentration of work in the autumn is putting greater pressure on soils.

“Yet, while this has been the clear trend in production agriculture, the science and technology base which should be providing practical guidance to land managers has diminished.

“Soil science departments have closed around the country. Key scientists have left to go abroad or retired. Post-graduate work has all but disappeared.

“Unless we reverse this trend, the work will no longer be done that is needed to get our soils in top condition and keep them there.”

Professor Godwin added that, internationally, the state of soil and water research was even less robust. The UK could not ‘buy into’ other nations’ research, especially as soil and water topics were very local site and weather specific.

“The immediate future depends on using the storehouse of applied research and development effectively,” he said. “It

“Government, including Defra and the Environment Agency, should ‘bite the bullet’ and source adequate applied work to ensure a national capability for food and fuel production, while meeting environmental requirements.

Why soil health matters Farmers manage 72% of the UK’s land area. And soil - whether it grows grass for livestock, cereals for food and feed, or the most sophisticated salads and vegetables - is the common denominator and the basic raw material with which every farmer has to work.

i. increasing food production and security at national and international level ii. demand for alternative fuels

iv. soil protection

vi. water resource availability for crop and animal production, combined with diminishing labour supply, which will continue the drive for larger machines.

That, said Professor Godwin, was a trend that had to be reversed.

• Electronic or hard copies of the full report, The Current Status of Soil and Water Management in England, are available by writing to Joanna Righton, Royal Agricultural Society of England, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ, by calling 024 76858254 or by emailing joannar@rase.org.uk Alternatively, members can download the full report or a short summary from www.rase.org.uk

“For this to continue, the UK needs respected scientists and engineers… and we are in grave danger of seeing the production line for such experts drying up completely,” Professor Godwin added.

The resulting paper from that inquiry raises the following questions:

• Do we have the centres of excellence required to carry out the appropriate research and will there be enough specialist scientists, technicians and advisers to ensure the work is carried out effectively?

Key recommendations of the report include:

• Is the current level of knowledge transfer keeping landowners and managers sufficiently informed about what needs to be done and the consequences of failure?

• Alert Defra and others to the issues and encourage Defra to move from its current largely environmental policy to one which embraces production within the environmental framework. The commitment of Defra and supporting agencies will be critical if the current situation is to be reversed.

• In short, is our soil fit for purpose and do we have the scientific and technical support in place to improve its productive capacity in line with projected demands?

• The industry needs to provide resources in excess of £1 million a year for a fiveyear period, to stem the decline in available professionals. An extra £300,000 is needed to train doctoral engineers and applied soil physicists over the same period. A further fund of £20,000 to £30,000 a year would help supplement funding of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

The Royal Agricultural Society of England, through its Practice With Science Group, commissioned an inquiry to ascertain whether farmers will be able, realistically, to meet these demands on the soils available.

• Is appropriate research on soil and water management being carried out; are there sufficient national resources being committed to the subject; and are the relevant lines of research being followed?

The report, which focuses on the ability of the applied physical sciences to provide practical engineering and management solutions to soil and water problems, was prepared by drawing together the combined knowledge and experience of five of the country’s leading soil and water management experts… lead author Professor Dick Godwin, Professor Gordon Spoor, Brian Finney, Dr Mike Hann and Dr Bryan Davies.

• Create a National Centre of Excellence for Soil and Water Management, and encourage the development of research, training and professional accreditation at existing establishments.

14

Today, as the pressure mounts from increasing population, climate change and demands for national food security, that soil has got to work harder than ever.

Output must be increased, while at the same time inputs must be reduced, soil health improved and environmental enhancement delivered.

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

The report was completed with financial assistance from the Felix Cobbold Agricultural Trust. The authors also acknowledge advice and assistance from other specialists, policy makers15and practitioners.

E-LEARNING IN AGRICULTURE • Nicole Tranter

E-LEARNING IN AGRICULTURE • Nicole Tranter

Nicole Tranter, a lecturer in animal studies at Usk Campus, Coleg Gwent, used a Farmers Club Charitable Trust bursary to investigate the use of e-learning in agricultural and animal science further education courses in Victoria, Australia. Here is a précis of her report.

How ‘e-learning’ can benefit both landbased students and lecturers Goulburn Ovens TAFE), and investigate how they use e-learning in their teaching to promote a more flexible, interactive learning environment for their students.

Nicole Tranter, with one of the calves at ‘Rhadyr Farm’, Usk Campus, Coleg Gwent.

‘E-LEARNING’ is the latest buzz word on the agenda at the landbased staff meetings on Usk Campus. You may ask yourself, what exactly is e-learning?

Essentially, e-learning is classed as learning the use of computers, interactive technology (such as SMART Boards and projectors), Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), and online communications and information systems (such as email).

I was prompted to apply for a Farmers Club study bursary to delve deeper into the world of e-learning. I wanted to see if it could improve the learning experience we currently provide at Usk Campus, and what could be done to ensure the continued development of e-learning, through features such as a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Although Coleg Gwent does have a VLE (called Moodle), it has yet to be developed from a landbased perspective.

An initial survey of the members of landbased staff at Usk revealed that the majority of lecturers use e-learning frequently to research and create teaching materials, and will use SMART Boards when available to teach their classes.

However, 90 per cent stated they didn’t use the VLE; only 40 per cent communicated with students out of class using email; and 60 per cent communicated with fellow colleagues using email.

A successful application to The Farmers Club allowed to me visit the two leading Technical and Further Education (TAFE) providers in Victoria, Australia, who deliver landbased curriculum (Box Hill TAFE and 16

While Goulburn Ovens (GO) comprises several small campus located over rural Victoria, Box Hill has four central campuses located in the bustling capital city, Melbourne. At both TAFEs there are animal studies programmes taught; how each TAFE actually delivers them is quite distinct. I visited Dookie Campus and Wangaratta Campus of GO TAFE, and the Elgar Road campus of Box Hill TAFE. The three main outcomes I hoped to achieve at the end of the study tour were: • To understand how e-learning is used to support teaching at each organisation • To see how lecturers use e-learning to support their students out of class time • To provide Usk Campus with a list of recommendations to ensure the continued development of e-learning on campus.

When I visited Victoria in November 2007, things were looking very grim indeed for the farming community. They were on the tail end of a six-year drought that was showing no signs of letting up. In 1904, a well known Australian poet, Dorothea Mackellar, penned the lines: “I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains”.

Unfortunately, the words “cracked and parched” best described the plains of Australia, as its mighty rivers had shrivelled into sluggish brown streams and its paddocks were reduced to dust bowls.

With no rain for much of the growing season, from July to November, the glorious crops predicted after a flush of rain in April were stunted and the grains pinched. The rains failed to deliver on time to revive the crops in the grain-filling stage.

High levels of screenings were being reported at the grain silos, with grain docked to feed grade rather than the premium milling/malting grades.

Yet, in spite of all this doom and gloom, the future for landbased curriculum remains optimistic, and this was reflected in the healthy student numbers at the TAFEs I visited.

Students’ feedback The general feedback from all the students to whom I spoke indicated that they are enjoying their time at TAFE or college, finding their education useful and fun. The respect given to them by tutors was cited frequently as something they liked, as well as the practical nature of the subjects, and relevance of subjects to their chosen careers.

A high proportion of students, across all campuses, had computers and internet access at home. With the majority agreeing that they would not be able to pass their course without the use them, it creates an ideal learning opportunity on which to build.

The majority of students across the board used e-learning to write reports nearly all of the time, although at some campuses the result was higher than others.

In terms of researching topics, once again the majority used it nearly all the

time: nearly three-quarters of students access e-learning to research topics and prepare reports.

As the majority also have computer and internet access at home, the next step is to incorporate a VLE to improve communication and information sharing among students and lecturers. A VLE can also help remind students of when assignment are due, have copies of assignments readily accessible if they lose them, and provide another way to motivate them to work hard and do well.

VLE development Unfortunately, developing a VLE for a college doesn’t happen overnight: it’s a long, intensive, thought-out process that takes time and effort to develop into a successful learning tool.

Melinda Howlett and Brendan White, from Wangaratta Campus of GOTAFE, both agree that, if they were not given the time away from work to learn and develop their VLE, it wouldn’t be used as extensively as it is now.

They believe the key to a successful start for establishing a VLE is, first, to have the full support of your management. The demands made on lecturers’ time, and also money required to improve resources and training for the VLE to be successful, means that if management is not on board the VLE will not succeed.

The following points are general advice from Howlett and White to those wanting to start using VLE at their college: • Enthuse and train a small group of staff initially, as it is far easier than trying to get everyone on board at once, and then gradually build on this.

• As there is a lot of technology you can incorporate into your VLE, stay blinkered and don’t become overwhelmed. Keep the VLE simple to begin with, and, as confidence grows, use more of the macromedia tools out there to make the VLE more exciting.

• Integrate using the VLE into everyday teaching, rather than it being an optional extra for students to use out of class time.

When they see you using it frequently, they will too.

• In every classroom there should be a data projector and computer - but not necessarily a SMART Board - to make it easy, quick and convenient to use e-learning.

Lecturers’ feedback Overall, responses from lecturers in Australia and on Usk Campus indicate a very positive outlook for e-learning and its potential for the future.

The majority of lecturers on each campus are using e-learning nearly all the time to research topics. Numbers are lower for those using it to produce written reports, and a minority of them believe it actually made them work less effectively: I have a feeling this is to do with the speed (or lack thereof) of their typing skills, rather than anything else.

Bill Schwartz, from the Wangaratta Region, filling his semi-trailer with wheat to sell.

In terms of enthusiasm for e-learning, once again the majority were positive. Over three-quarters of all the lecturers believed e-learning was a useful tool.

Visiting the TAFE institutions in Australia has helped me see landbased education from a new perspective, through investigating how each uses e-learning in their teaching. I can now envisage the way we can improve the flexibility of our students study programs via a Virtual Learning Environment such as Moodle.

The barriers that seem to be hindering the progress of e-learning among the campuses had a common theme. It was not the lecturers’ willingness, nor enthusiasm about e-learning that was holding back progress, it was time and resources.

Once lecturers are trained properly in using VLEs and other e-learning technologies, they will be able to incorporate them into their teaching with ease. This has a knock-on effect as to how the students access and use communication technologies within e-learning.

With the majority of students already using the internet to research topics, it would take little persuasion for them to log onto a VLE to down-load an assignment, or contribute to a chat room discussion on a difficult assignment.

The difficulty of obtaining and using elearning resources also inhibits the uptake of e-learning technology. With time being a very precious commodity to a lecturer, it needs to be easy to find a classroom to use on a regular basis that has a data projector and computer. This is also the case in terms of computer availability and access in the lecturers’ offices.

Angus cattle grazing on stubble paddocks at Dookie as there is no grass to graze on.

A lesson being taught in one of the computer rooms at Elgar Road, Box Hill TAFE.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Elgar Road Campus, Box Hill, student computer room.

Farmer Ian Schwartz walking through a crop of barley barely worth harvesting in the Wangaratta Region.

Once the time and resource issues have been resolved, I think progress within e-

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

learning will evolve naturally. It will become the easy option to use, rather than the more difficult one, as it is at the moment.

Incorporating e-learning into every day teaching will benefit both lecturer and student in the long run.

USK benefits The main benefits I see for the students, as a result of these recommendations for developing e-learning on Usk Campus, are: • A more flexible learning experience for the students if they choose to work and study through the use of Moodle accessed from home or at college. A direct result from this is improved retention and attainment of students.

• More interesting and varied lesson formats, as their lecturer uses different teaching methods to captivate their interest and inspire them.

• Quicker and easier methods for students to catch up on missed work, and also easier to get in touch with lecturers and their fellow students.

Overall, I can see an exciting and innovative new Usk Campus, designed to stimulate students, with courses and e-learning opportunities offered that encourage and support them to achieve the best they possibly can.

• Nicole Tranter can be contacted by emailing nicoletranter@hotmail.co.uk 17

CHEF’S CORNER • Don Irwin

U30s • Lizzie Benson, Chairman; Luke Paterson, Vice-Chairman; MaryAnne Salisbury, Secretary

Member donations help Club ensure British Food Fortnight is big success DO MEMBERS know that the Club has supported British Food Fortnight since its inception? This year was no exception, and once again members have been extremely generous with their donations.

What is particularly encouraging is that every year we receive different produce from different members. The Club wishes to thank the following people for their contributions: David Shepherd Evesham Vale Growers Tomatoes Highgrove Food Distribution Highgrove Milk and cream Marcus Themans Wenlock Edge Farm Bacon and cured meats Eric Jagger Cherry Valley Farm Ducks Humphrey Errington Lanarkshire Foods Cheese Livesey Brothers Wild mushrooms Alex Albone Pipers Crisps Mike Davies Dorset Blue Vinney Cheese James Cross Dairy Farmers of Great Britain Cheeses

or even understand what is happening in the real world of catering? Some do, of course, but while more boys and girls might be inspired to make a career in ‘my world’, the underbelly - ie, the core training - has steadily eroded. With the advent of national vocational qualifications and the extinction of real apprenticeships, the core knowledge required for a young cook is harder to attain.

We have one such cook at the Club, by the name of Bartek, who is enthusiastic and eager to learn. Thanks to the Club’s training budget, we are sending him to Westminster College on a day-release basis, to underpin his skills with the basics required to be a top chef.

Bart is lucky, as he’s going to one of the best colleges in Britain. Sadly, a good number of colleges are poorly funded and, indeed, are struggling for survival. At a time when interest in food has never been higher, standards of core training are falling. The cream will always rise, of course, but we still need enough quality milk.

We, in the kitchen, will always strive for consistent quality of food, but when things go slightly awry sometimes, honest feedback is always welcome. I promise not to leap out of the kitchen brandishing a cleaver!

Cheaper cuts The slight downside about British Food Fortnight, from the Club’s point of view, is that, over the two weeks, we don’t appear to have increased our business, although the feedback we get is almost always positive.

Television cooks Back to one of my lessthan-favourite subjects, ‘Television Cooks’… coupled with a tinge of jealousy, maybe, because I know that I couldn’t do what they do in front of camera!

So, hats off, but do they enhance, give back

As well as it being the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, with an abundance of produce with which to work, we, as the country on the whole knows, are experiencing a global recession. To alleviate some of the financial pressure, now, surely, is the time to buy and cook some of the cheaper cuts of meat.

In most households these days, a lack of time, a stressful day at work and family commitments, have all resulted in the more expensive cuts being used, as they take less time to cook.

One of the supermarkets has recently launched a range of cheap, traditional cuts such as pig’s cheek and trotters, brisket and chuck beef. I would like to think that these items will be racing off the shelves, but somehow I don’t imagine so. A recent survey showed that only one in ten of the UK’s population cooks with brisket, very few make stocks and nobody braises any more.

There are a few cheap cuts that can be cooked quickly… for example skirt or feather blade of beef, and neck of pork or lamb. The crucial thing is to slice across the grain of the meat, otherwise toughness will ensue. A good butcher is essential, also, although these characters are, nowadays, thin on the ground.

Talking of pig trotters, a wonderful dish was created a few years ago by a great chef called Pierre Kauffman, who gently braised pigs’ trotters, boned out and filled with a truffle mousse. A princely dish made, essentially, from a humble foodstuff.

Recently, I created a pork starter for a function that particularly wanted to support the British pig industry. The warm starter consisted of black pudding, haslet and crispy pig’s trotter with pickled vegetables.

We were pleased with the result… I hope they were!

Potted Shin of Beef This is an ideal recipe for using a less popular cut of meat.

• Shin of beef • Shallots • Carrots • Mixed herbs • Seasoning • Clarified butter.

Chairman’s Jottings OUR autumn programme started after the harvest break in September with the Autumn Social Dinner. We are very grateful to Jim McCarthy for giving up his valuable time and spending an evening with us. His passion, enthusiasm and direct approach made for an informative and entertaining evening.

As I write these jottings, I am looking forward to the Autumn Farm Walk in Gloucestershire with a visit to the Stowell Park Estate, racing at Cheltenham and ice cream tasting.

Similarly, in November I look forward to welcoming Annaliitta Stretch of Tsuru Design display some of her creations of jewellery, fascinators and flowers and to hear about agricultural film making and conservation work from Ian Damms of Breeze and Freeze.

Looking further ahead, we have the Under 30s London weekend in January 2009. This incorporates our New Members Dinner on Friday 23 January, which I’m sure will be a lot of fun, so please do come along and feel free to bring friends. Saturday morning starts with a tour of the Club, followed by our AGM, lunch, and the show Billy Elliott followed by dinner, while Sunday includes ice-skating at Somerset House.

I hope to see many of you at our forthcoming events.

Lizzie Benson

From small beginnings in Ireland to a colossal global farm business A BEAUTIFUL summer evening in September held host to the autumn Under 30s dinner, where, with Ulsterman and Senior Club Committee member Campbell Tweed at his right hand, Jim McCarthy led a slightly smaller than average crowd into a very engaged debate.

Jim farms more than 30,000 acres in Argentina, where he grows predominantly GM crops in an amazing 1 metre of topsoil… not something he inherited but more of an ‘empire’ that he has built up over time, along with a number of other business projects across the world, including in Missouri, USA. Getting into agriculture on such a scale was no mean feat, he told us. Jim was, first, an assistant manager on a farm in Ireland and then a farm manager for 10 years, finally leasing some land on his own and then leasing the land that he had been managing for the past 10 years.

Farming in South America has opened up many opportunities for Jim, not least the chance to grow GM crops.

Spending 12-14 days a month in Argentina, and the rest of the time darting all over the world, the influence of worldwide markets is very apparent to him. On selling grade 1 milling wheat, Jim is responsible for getting the grain 280 miles to the port, and can grow, deliver and load a panamax vessel for just £48/mt.

Can be served with toast, pickled vegetables and a savoury jelly. Will also keep for up to two weeks in a fridge, provided the moulds are well covered.

Serve at room temperature.

Cookery quote…

“There is no one who does not eat and drink. But few there are who can appreciate taste.”

Maintaining that the primary benefit of growing GM crops is sustainability, not only for the soil (zero till), but also in agro chemical terms, he went on to tell us that his spray regime for GMs consists of two doses of glyphosphate a year… nothing short of a pipe dream for most British growers!

When pushed about his views on the future for GM crops in the UK, he insists that is the duty of the British grower to make the move towards GM, and that the public will follow. In time, he assured us, GM crops will become a significant part of the British countryside.

Jim holds the view that he was lucky not to be a farmer’s son, who may hold a responsibility to the family tradition and way of business. When you came in with nothing, he pointed out, you have nothing to lose.

With profit, return on capital and return on equity being the fulcrum of how, what and why Jim operates, it is easy to see how he has grown in the way he has and why he insists that cutting costs is key in any commercial operation.

Boil shin of beef, preferably on the bone with beef stock, onions, carrots, celery and leeks until meat is falling apart.

Allow to cool. Roughly chop beef, add to herbs, finely-chopped shallots and dice of cooked carrot. Pack into small moulds, season and top with clarified butter.

Happy eating…

Left to right: James Williams, Ross Williamson and Luke Paterson.

Above: Jo Franklin and Gemma Partridge.

Top left: Senior Club member Campbell Tweed with U30 members at the dinner.

Botton left: Lizzie Benson, second right, chats with speaker Jim McCarthy, right.

With his deep southern Irish accent he emphasised “the three most important things in running a successful business are people, people, people”. Many of those with whom he deals he had met through his Nuffield Scholarship, he said, going on to tell us that there are huge numbers of opportunities in the world, many of which can be accessed through trusts such as Nuffield.

The evening was most enjoyable for all those involved and our thanks go to Jim for the insight he gave us on his colossal farming operations.

James Williams

Confucius

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www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

19

RAMBLINGS • Stephen Skinner

RAMBLINGS • Stephen Skinner

Scottish farmers facing same pressures as those in rest of the United Kingdom I WAS enormously privileged to be hosted recently by Professor Bill McKelvey, Chief Executive and Principal of the Scottish Agricultural College.

After arrival at Dundee airport, I was taken to the SAC’s Disease Surveillance Centre in Perth.

This is one of a number around the country, set up not only to analyse dead animals that are brought in by farmers and others, but also to be proactive in looking for disease.

It was here that I first got a taste of the close interaction between the Scottish Government, the SAC and the farming community. While funding was an issue, it was not a big issue, and certainly they all seemed to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

After the Centre, I had lunch with young farmer Peter Grewar, who, with his father, is one of the largest potato growers in Scotland. Despite only being 30, Peter had a most formidable grasp of not only his own industry but broader farming in a national and international context. I then visited one of his farms (they farm both in Coupar Angus and much further north on the Black Isle), and saw at first hand a highly impressive operation.

New Company Master

Keith Huggett

Glorious days of golf

EARLIER the same day, the Worshipful Company of Farmers held its Service of Harvest Thanksgiving at St Sepulchrewithout-Newgate, Smithfield. Immediately after this, retired lawyer John Thorpe, from Everdon, Northamptonshire, was installed as the Livery Company’s 57th Master.

Sussex farmer and businessman Jeremy Courtney was installed as Senior Warden and London surveyor Follett Balch as Junior Warden.

CLUB members and staff alike were deeply upset to hear of the death of agricultural photographer and artist Keith Huggett on 19 September, after a long and gallant fight against illness.

ONCE again John Pigott, Captain of Farmers Club Golf, led a fine group of players on a splendid two days at Mentmore and Ashridge. While I was only able to attend the second day and the dinner in the evening, I have to say these are wonderful outings not only to some of the country’s best courses but also in the company of lovely people.

Our picture shows (from left) Jeremy, John and Follett - all Farmers Club members, I’m pleased to say - prior to the Company’s Installation Lunch at Haberdashers’ Hall.

John, we wish you and Sue every happiness and success in your year of office.

Keith - or ‘Click Clack’ as he was fondly called at the Club - was widely known for his professional dedication, great warmth and very rich sense of humour throughout the agricultural industry, having worked most of his life as an illustrator and staff photographer on Farmers Weekly, before, in recent years, becoming a freelance photographer.

The next day I met SAC’s Professor John Oldham, Head of Research and Development; Dr Alan Renwick, Land Economy Research Group Manager; and David McKenzie, Vice Principal (Education and Training). All were keen to give of their time, were patient with their naïve guest, and helped me understand a little more of their work.

During this latter period, Keith was the main photographer for The Farmers Club Journal, working first with editor Derek Watson and, following Derek’s retirement, with current editor Don Gomery, until failing health forced him, gradually, into retirement. Our heartfelt condolences go to Eileen, their children Jacky and Mark, and to their families.

A number of things struck me quite forcibly, but most significantly was, first, that the overall message was coherent and, second, that there was what I would term ‘joined-up’ thinking between the Scottish Government, the farming community and the many strands of the SAC, which led to informed and acceptable policy.

Of course, there are many reasons for this, political and pragmatic, but I would also add that it was apparent, and indeed laudable, that those that worked within the agricultural departments of government, both ministers and civil servants, were very well briefed.

While there might be significant differences in governance north and south of the border, there can be no ignoring the facts that England is Scotland’s biggest trading partner, that disease does not recognise borders, and that farming in Scotland is facing many of the same pressures as in England. The same but different might sum it up.

Return to normality after summer closure THE SLOW return to normality here at the Club after the summer closure has been ‘interesting’ from a business point of view. As many of you have struggled to get in the harvest, and all have wrestled (and continue to wrestle) with the turmoil in the financial markets, we have seen a slightly slower than normal build up of members using the Club.

However, by the eve of our Harvest Festival, I was rather relieved to see occupation levels back up and the Club ‘buzzing’ again.

Dairy Event Lounge THE CLUB, in concert with the RABDF, set up for the first time a ‘Business Lounge’ at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show at Stoneleigh in mid September. We were based in the Ayrshire pavilion and, on the first day, enjoyed a reasonable degree of interest, with a number of formal and informal meetings taking place.

The second day was, perhaps inevitably, somewhat quieter, but we have certainly learned for the future.

Food for thought at Harvest Festival THE HARVEST Festival itself was most magnificent and, I’m pleased to say, wellattended by some 100 members and their guests in beautifully restored, renewed and re-opened St Martin-in-the-Fields, most of the congregation returning to the Club afterwards for buffet supper.

The sermon was given by Club member the Right Rev Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover, who reminded us of our social responsibilities in such difficult times, saying that we were all responsible for the credit crisis, and that while companies may go to the wall, it was people who would pay the price.

Coffee Morning WE HERE at The Farmers Club did our bit for the Macmillan ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’. With many of our own staff baking cakes at home and bringing them in, we opened our doors to all within Whitehall Court, along with those members that were here, and raised a magnificent £188.

Not only were the cakes first class, it was wonderful to see all those who turned up and contributed so generously.

For those who worry whether their handicap is too high for these exalted gatherings, or too low to mix with this crowd, I have to say that, while the competition is ‘determined’, there is no exclusivity, no preciousness… just a gathering of like-minded people.

As ever, underpinning these events was the incredible hard work and thoroughness of Robert Buckolt, who ensures no stone is left unturned and that all - golfers and non-golfers alike - enjoy a splendid two days in lovely surroundings.

Picture show invitation A note for your 2009 diary. The Trustees of ARCAddington Fund request the pleasure of your company to view 'Farming: An Urban Perspective'.

This exhibition of photographs, taken by Kevin Foord, with words by Richard Benson, author of 'The Farm: The Story of One Family and the English Countryside’, looks at the world of farming and food through the eyes an urban photographer. Benson, bred from farming stock, uses words to bridge the gap of understanding between town and country.

The pictures are on view at The Mall Gallery from 22-29 March, with a special Reception for Farmers Club members on Tuesday 24 March from 5.30-7.30pm.

Olympic Committee: your input welcome While it may seem that the 2012 London Olympics are a long way off, we at the Farmers Club need to ensure we are fully prepared for what is highly likely to be a period of great demand.

Moreover, we should not ignore that it might also be considered a period of opportunity, given our availability of meeting rooms and catering capacity.

With these factors in mind, it has been decided to establish a small sub-committee under the chairmanship of James Cross to think through the Club’s approach to this period and make recommendations to the Club’s General Committee.

In developing his approach and, thus, policy, James would very much welcome input from anyone who has an interest in the Olympic Games and who would like to contribute in some way, be it with ideas or even with contacts to those who are more directly involved.

If you would like to contribute please contact me here at secretariat@thefarmersclub.com I should add we are not looking to take advance notice of bookings for rooms until, at the very earliest, our booking policy has been agreed.

Christmas present for your young folk

“Organisations such as The Farmers Club are so valuable because they give people the opportunity to get together to support one another,” he added. “This is what Christianity is all about.”

WITH the season of good will to all men and all women bearing down on us, perhaps you have been struggling with identifying that special Christmas gift for your son/daughter/niece/nephew/friend. Well, struggle no more. Instead, why not buy them U30 membership of the Farmers Club?

Our picture shows Club Chairman Julian Sayers (right) and Vice Chairman John Reynolds immediately prior to taking baskets of produce to the altar for Blessing.

Of course, the conditions for being elected as a member remain the same, but what a wonderful gift…particularly for those U30s who may appreciate even more help with finance.

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THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

21

Club Information & Diary Dates

THE FARMERS CLUB

The Secretariat 020 7930 3751

THE FARMERS CLUB Over 160 years of service to farming 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL

Patron – Her Majesty The Queen

Diary Dates 2008-2009 These dates are reviewed for every Journal. Please read them on each occasion, as they are sometimes revised and additional dates included.

Details of events circulated in the previous issues are available from the Secretariat at the telephone number shown above.

Club Information 020 7930 3751 Further information is available on The Farmers Club Website: www.thefarmersclub.com To register for the Members’ Area, enter your membership number as shown on the top line of the address label of your Journal and then create your username and password.

Obituaries It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: A J Bide S D Bond G E Clacy M P Dallyn C B Fraser Maj J A T Jones Prof A Steele-Bodger CBE C E I Wynne-Finch

Hampshire Gloucestershire Dorset Surrey Overseas London Monmouthshire Caernarfonshire

New Members The following were elected on 8 October 2008: M Allen M Armstrong

Surrey Cornwall

W Bartlett Yorkshire A R W Bell Gloucestershire Miss E F C Buchanan LVO Sussex Mrs A Bull Suffolk A M Bullivant Somerset A Collier Staffordshire J S Douglas Wigtownshire M E Geake Gloucestershire Mrs C A Goldie Stirlingshire Sir John Harman Yorkshire Miss C M Hope Herefordshire J H Horrell Northamptonshire M G Huskinson Worcestershire A L Hyde Parker Suffolk K S Jones Lincolnshire Mrs A MacPherson Ross-Shire T J Matthews Oxfordshire Dr R G Mayne Berkshire R J Newbery Warwickshire Mrs S Orchard Buckinghamshire K E Palmer Kent B Partridge Yorkshire G Patrick Lincolnshire I M Richards Cumberland N P Secrett Essex B W Shouler Leicestershire J C St George Sussex

✁

THEATRE EVENING

Mrs S M Staal D C Theaker N Utting MBE M J Vaughan R Wakeham Professor E Watson R B Williams N R Wisely Mrs M C Woodley Mrs C D Woollacott

Nottinghamshire Yorkshire Cumberland Suffolk Yorkshire Midlothian Herefordshire Aberdeenshire Surrey Devon

Overseas Mrs A I Berryman Under 30s Miss S M Errington T Hyde Parker Miss F C Nicholson M E Patey B J Quayle D J Quayle M P Shayle M W Smith E W Wainright-Lee S F Williams

Belgium Lanarkshire Suffolk Cumberland Oxfordshire Cumberland Cumberland Gloucestershire Yorkshire Hertfordshire Wiltshire

Under 30s K Southwell J R Stephenson

London London

Dress Code

John and Janet Reynolds invite you to join them for a pre-theatre supper at the Club followed by a performance of “Twelfth Night” at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End. Derek Jacobi plays Malvolio in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy of mistaken identity, infatuation and broken hearts - with a happy ending, of course!

Following the performance, a dessert buffet will be available back at the Club.

The cost of the evening is £60.00 per person and applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis as tickets are limited (maximum of 2 per member).

• Gentlemen must wear formal jackets and ties. Polo-neck jerseys, jeans and trainer shoes are not acceptable. Between 1 June to end of September, Gentlemen will not have to wear jackets at breakfast.

• There is a Club jacket and a selection of ties at Reception which may be borrowed in an emergency.

Please complete in CAPITALS WITH FIRST NAME and return to: The Secretary, The Farmers Club, 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL.

• Ladies should be dressed conventionally.

Trousers are permitted but not casual slacks, jeans or trainer shoes.

I would like to reserve

• Weekends: smart casual but no jeans, t-shirts, rugby shirts or trainers.

tickets for the supper and Twelfth Night. (payable The Farmers Club).

• Children should conform with the above guidelines.

Members Name

Mobile Phones, Briefcases and Business Meetings

Guest (1) Address

Post Code

Mobile phones must not be used in the Public Rooms. Briefcases should be left in the Cloakrooms and Business meetings must be conducted in a private room. Members should speak with the House Manager for details.

Telephone Number

IT Facilities Email

22

Visit to Rutland Wednesday 6 to Thursday 7 May Application form in the New Year Journal

Annual General Meeting Wednesday 10 December at 12 noon in the Club

Royal Ulster Show Dinner Tuesday 12 May Reply slip in the Spring Journal

Oxford Farming Conference Monday 5 – Wednesday 7 January 2009 Go to www.ofc.org.uk for information

Devon County Show Reception Thursday 21 May Reply slip in the Spring Journal

Theatre Visit and Supper in the Club (previously Friday 23 January) Friday 30 January Cut out application form in this journal (page 22)

There is an IT Room with a PC (Broadband connection) adjacent to the Secretariat and an THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Suffolk Show Reception Wednesday 27 May Reply slip in the Spring Journal Royal Cornwall Show Dinner Friday 5 June Reply slip in the Spring Journal

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner in the Club Friday 20 March

Visit to RHS garden at Wisley, Surrey Tuesday 23 June Application form in the Spring Journal

St. George’s Day Lunch at Barber-Surgeons Hall Thursday 23 April Application form in the New Year Journal

The Royal Highland Show Dinner Wednesday 24 June Reply slip in the Spring Journal

Members are requested to advise their guests of the following:

Friday 30 January 2009

Cheque enclosed for £

Lunch in the Club with a visit to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms Friday 5 December

Royal Show, Stoneleigh Park Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 July

VICE PRESIDENTS John N Harris OBE MC, Peter Jackson CBE Roddy Loder-Symonds, Sir David Naish DL John Parker THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB FOR 2008 PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Julian Sayers TRUSTEES Mark Hudson (Chairman), Barclay Forrest OBE Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE, Norman Shaw CBE VICE-CHAIRMAN John Reynolds HONORARY TREASURER Paul Heygate IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Tony Pexton OBE COMMITTEE Elected 2003 Richard Holland (Chairman Membership SubCommittee), Julian Madeley Elected 2004 Ian Lindsay, Mrs Jill Willows Elected 2005 Charles Notcutt OBE, Mrs Nicki Quayle Elected 2006 Stewart Houston CBE (Chairman House SubCommittee), Meurig Raymond MBE Elected 2007 Tim Bennett, Mrs Anne Chamberlain, James Cross Richard Harrison, Campbell Tweed OBE Mrs Teresa Wickham (Chairman Journal & Communications Sub-Committee) Elected 2008 The Reverend Dr Gordon Gatward OBE Jimmy McLean, David Richardson OBE, John Wilson Co-opted Miss Lizzie Benson (Chairman Under 30s) Luke Paterson (Vice-Chairman Under 30s) THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES John Kerr MBE JP DL (Chairman), James Cross Stephen Fletcher, Dr Tony Harris CBE Mrs Stella Muddiman JP, The Chairman and Immediate Past Chairman of the Club (ex officio) Chief Executive and Secretary Air Commodore Stephen Skinner

email booth for laptop connection; both can be accessed via Reception. Laptops must not be used in the Lounge but are now permitted in the Shaw Room, adjacent to the bar. Their use is restricted to single users only and must not be used in conjunction with a meeting. Reception can provide a password if you need access to the Club’s wi-fi connection.

Parking There is no parking in Whitehall Court and metered parking in the immediate area is extremely limited. The nearest public car park, open 24 hours a day, is situated in Spring Gardens off Cockspur Street, approximately 5 minutes walk from the Club. Telephone: 0800 243 348. The Congestion Charge payment is available at this car park.

Envelopes Sponsorship The Farmers Club would like to thank Monsanto for its kind sponsorship of the Journal envelopes.

Monsanto is an agricultural company focused on applying innovation and technology to assist farmers around the world to be more successful.

For information about the company, visit www.monsanto.co.uk.

Deputy Secretary Robert Buckolt

CLUB CLOSURES 2008/09 Monday 22 December – no afternoon tea, bar or dinner 3.00pm Tuesday 23 December to 3.00pm Monday 5 January 2009

Club Chaplain The Reverend Nicholas Holtam 020-7766 1121 Reception & Dining Room Reservations 020-7930 3557 Accounts 020-7925 7101 Membership 020-7925 7102 Private Function & Meeting Room Reservations 020-7925 7100 Secretariat 020-7930 3751

5.00pm Thursday 9 April to 8.00am Tuesday 14 April

Personal calls for members only 020-7930 4730

12 noon Sunday 3 May to 8.00am Tuesday 5 May

E-mails secretariat@thefarmersclub.com accounts@thefarmersclub.com membership@thefarmersclub.com functions@thefarmersclub.com meetings@thefarmersclub.com reception@thefarmersclub.com u30s@thefarmersclub.com

11.00pm Friday 22 May to 8.00am Tuesday 26 May 3.00pm Friday 14 August to 3.00pm Tuesday 1 September

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Winter 2008

Fax 020-7839 7864

Website www.thefarmersclub.com THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Editor and Advertisement Manager Don Gomery 01892 610628 Email: don.gomery@btinternet.com Printed by Pureprint Group, Brambleside, Bellbrook Park23 Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1PL Tel: 01825 768811