Whether or not you voted for it,
Brexit is probably the most important
political issue this country has faced since its decision to join
the CommonMarket in 1973. The European Union affects
nearly every aspect of our lives, from the cars we drive to the
food we eat and the hours we work.
For farmers and growers, the impact of the EU is even
greater. The most obvious incarnation comes in the form of
the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its numerous
associated regulations. However, there are many other areas
which affect our industry including the approval of crop
protection products, support for Producer Organisations and
protection for certain food and drink under the PDO, PGI and
TSG schemes. Then there are rules about food processing,
waste management, recycling, pollution prevention, the
Water Framework Directive, rules for organic production,
promotional support, funding for research... The list goes on
It is therefore somewhat worrying to read recently in another
farming magazine that the government has not yet
commissioned any research into the potential effects of
leaving the European Union on agricultural policy. The
parliamentary question was asked by Green Party MP
Caroline Lucas and highlights the tensions between farming
bodies, such as the NFU and British Growers, and
environmental NGOs like the RSPB and Friends of the Earth
about what form future rural policies should take.
Speaking at the UK Brassica & Leafy Salads Conference in
January, Defra minister George Eustice MP touched on many
of these issues but was, perhaps understandably, vague on
many of the details. The general consensus amongst
delegates was that Mr Eustice spoke very well and that unlike
some other politicians, his family background and farming
experience should help inform policy developments.
However, one thing which caused concern was his apparent
assertion that in the future Producer Organisations should
switch their activities from commercial support to research
and breeding. There were not many in the audience who
agreed when he said, “Many large growers are perfectly able
to deal with supermarkets in their own right.”
With rumours of further supplier rationalisation circling the
industry and supermarkets taking on more and more direct
sourcing, many growers present told me that POs had never
been more important and were the only way of securing
necessary investment. As we enter years of negotiations
about Brexit, many farmers will hope that British Growers
manage to get this important message across to politicians.
CONTENTS
Vegetable shortage could continue
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4
NewHerbert distributor
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6
New CIPC guide
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8
Potatomargin potential
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10
DiamondbackMoth control
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11
ResearchDiary
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15
Brassica Conference
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16
Potato Science Live
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19
Leafy Salads Conference
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22
Bayer Vegetable Conference
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25
Cover Cropworkshop
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28
Potato nutrition
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29
Transplanter update
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31
Classified
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34
Buyers Guide
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35
3
OPINION
THE
VEGETABLE
FARMER •
MARCH 2017
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