Facing the future A DELIVERY PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND FOOD IN THE NORTH WEST OF ENGLAND
Protected landscapes in the North West
This is a summary of the Regional Delivery Plan for the North West. It describes how the Plan has been developed; explains the key themes to be addressed; highlights the priorities for action; and gives examples of good practice and specific initiatives that have been developed. The Plan itself will be a living document, continually monitored and updated, and can be found at: www.go-nw.gov.uk/nwraf/sustainability.shtml.
Preface The Government’s national Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food was published in December 2002. It implements the report of the Policy Commission on Farming and Food, chaired by Sir Donald Curry, which set a new direction for the farming and food industry based on better connections with the market place, the environment and consumers. Successfully delivering this strategy is of paramount importance, particularly in the North West, with its strong farming and food traditions. The National Implementation Group, headed by Sir Donald Curry, is overseeing the development of a wide range of initiatives. In addition, Government Offices and Regional Development Agencies have been charged with developing Regional Delivery Plans, in consultation with local stakeholders. These plans set out the actions to be taken to meet regional needs and priorities. The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform agreement signals a major shift in the way the farming industry will be supported in the future. It presents a great opportunity for the industry to move in the direction recommended. This North West Plan is intended to provide producers with some practical support to help them move their businesses forward.
Neil Cumberlidge Government Office for the North West
Ray Kessler Northwest Development Agency
Farming and food in the North West
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The North West has a population of more than 6 million people, the majority living in urban areas such as Liverpool and Manchester. Most of the land, however, is rural, with nearly 80 per cent classified as such. The region contains three distinct types of rural area: ●
remote rural, which includes much of Cumbria and parts of Lancashire and Cheshire;
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accessible rural, which includes much of Cheshire and Lancashire; and
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urban fringe, which includes rural parts of Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
Farms are mainly livestock-based, which reflects the region’s grass-growing capability. The dairy and red meat sectors are the most significant economically. However, arable and horticulture enterprises are also important in north Cheshire and south west Lancashire. Some 40,000 people are employed in farming in the North West, and the industry contributes 0.8 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP). But this does not tell the whole story: these figures do not include other industries that are parts of the food production chain, for example feed suppliers and food processors. The landscape and environment created and maintained by farmers also provide the base for other economic activity such as leisure and tourism. An estimated 60,000 people are employed in the food processing sector in the North West. The agricultural, food and drink industry provides 12 per cent of the region’s income – £1 billion from agriculture, forestry and fishing, and £8.5 billion from food and drink processing and distribution.
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Developing the Regional Delivery Plan
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More than 300 stakeholders, including representatives from the food sectors and members of the North West Rural Affairs Forum, were asked about priorities for the Plan. Farmers were invited to three evening events in Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, to give their practical perspective on what is needed. There was general agreement that all four key themes identified in the national strategy (A more effective food chain, Managing the environment, Healthy communities and Investing in the future) are important in the North West. There was also broad agreement that the suggested regional priorities for action be developed in the Plan. Respondents also stressed the importance of the Plan: ●
being tailored to meet regional needs;
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ensuring that effective use of national initiatives is made in the region;
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building on existing good practice and delivery mechanisms in the region; and
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being flexible enough to cope with future changes and development.
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Priorities for Action
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1: A More Effective Food Chain Many farmers in the North West have sought to improve their profitability by moving closer to the marketplace and by developing new products and markets. Techniques include adding value to existing products; exploiting niche markets; and direct selling. Producers need to be encouraged to exploit the potential of such opportunities. However, the Plan must also seek to enhance the viability of mainstream production – still the biggest part of the industry. This can be achieved through encouraging greater collaborative working and the sharing of best practice, helping to make production and processing more efficient. Actions will include: ●
Promoting locally sourced produce: this includes identifying public procurement opportunities and developing the capacity to meet them.
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Supporting the continuing development of regional, speciality and organic foods: this includes promoting market opportunities linked with tourism.
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Establishing a regional network of advisers to assist farmers who wish to develop co-operation.
Forward Farming is the project operating the region’s Demonstration Farms pilot and is one of the first Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food recommendations to be developed. This project provides an excellent example of crossregional co-operation between colleges, as it involves Bishop Burton, Hartpury, Myerscough and Sparsholt colleges. 7
2: Managing the Environment People are increasingly aware of the important role that farming plays in maintaining the rural environment. In the North West, that environment includes (located wholly or partly within the region) 3 National Parks, 4 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), 431 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and 31 National Nature Reserves. There is a need to ensure sound environmental practice by farmers, as well as taking maximum advantage of the opportunities offered by agri-environment schemes. Actions will include: ●
Developing a regional action plan to deal with problems such as farm-related pollution and agricultural waste.
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Developing integrated farm business support services that include environmental advice.
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Promoting appropriate uptake of the new agri-environment schemes when rolled out in the North West.
The Cheshire Meres and Mosses project is a partnership between English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. The project aims to reduce diffuse pollution on adjacent land, and since 2000 the Cheshire area has had 31 Countryside Stewardship applications. The Meres and Mosses project also extends to Shropshire and Staffordshire.
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3: Healthy Communities The food that we eat is a major factor in developing a healthy society, with improved diet seen as a major factor in addressing conditions such as obesity and diet-related cancers. The region’s health agenda offers farmers and food producers significant new opportunities, not just in terms of providing nutritious food but in promoting leisure and recreation as well. Actions will include: ●
Developing and supporting market opportunities arising from national and regional health initiatives such as the ‘Five a Day’ fruit and vegetable scheme.
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Educating and persuading consumers of the importance of a more healthy diet.
The Rural Futures Project, led by Voluntary Action Cumbria and funded through Defra’s Rural Enterprise Scheme, seeks to work with groups of farmers to develop co-operative working in Cumbria. The project offers a range of support to farmers, which is adaptable to their requirements.
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4: Investing in the Future Public perception of farming and food is very important to those sectors’ future success. In recent years, the image of both industries has suffered for a variety of reasons, and this has resulted in a significant decline in the number of people wishing to go into them as a career. There is also a need to address skill levels within the agricultural industry, where appropriate, to better equip farmers to improve performance and develop new business opportunities. Actions will include: ●
Developing better links between farming and schools, including promoting farming as a career.
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Developing and using demonstration/innovation farms to disseminate best practice.
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Identifying skills gaps and how they can best be filled.
Reaseheath, the Cheshire land-based college, has been awarded Development Centre of Vocational Excellence status for Food Chain Technology. This should be regarded as an asset to the region.
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Making things happen Successfully implementing the Regional Delivery Plan will depend on a wide range of stakeholders being committed to working in partnership. The Plan will need to be flexible enough to respond to new challenges and opportunities. Strong links will be needed, both with initiatives at a national level and with other regional and local activities. Delivery will be undertaken by existing regional and local bodies, such as the NW Food Alliance, county rural partnerships and the NW Food and Health Task Force, with identified lead partners for each action. Progress will be monitored by a steering group, with half-yearly reports prepared by the Government Office and the Northwest Development Agency. For further information on the progress of the Plan, visit the website on: www.go-nw.gov.uk/nwraf/sustainability.shtml or telephone Gordon Jones at the Government Office for the North West on 0151 224 6325.
The photographs in this publication have been used with the kind permission of Defra’s Rural Development Service, GNN and The National Trust
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Rural development projects in the North West supported by small grants from ÂŁ2,500 to ÂŁ60,000 Brewery Expansion to provide a source of locally brewed, traditional beer to the pub, hotel and retail trade. Completed October 2002.
On farm food production Conversion of redundant outbuilding on family farm into manufacturing facility for production of homemade puddings and sauces. Completed May 2002.
Farm shop Conversion of existing semi-redundant building into farm shop and tea room selling organic produce and conventional foods. Completed June 2003.
Firewood processing Purchase of a kindlet and bagging machine to convert waste wood (eg pallets) into kindling for retail locally. Completed April 2003.
Bridal fare shop Conversion of a barn into a retail unit selling bridal fare. Completed April 2003.
North West Regional Delivery Plan Steering Group Government Office for the North West Northwest Development Agency The Countryside Agency English Nature The Environment Agency North West Food and Health Task Force National Farmers’ Union
Country Land and Business Association North West Food Alliance Booths Supermarkets North West Rural Affairs Forum Defra Rural Development Service North West Regional Assembly Shire Counties Representative