No
|
Title
|
Summary
|
745
|
Rural deprivation
|
Sparsely populated areas show higher levels
of deprivation than less sparsely populated areas. Many rural areas score
poorly on particular aspects such as indoor environment, housing and access
to services. There is a ‘north-south’ divide - areas in the north have improved,
areas in the south have deteriorated, with sparse rural areas in Herefordshire,
Norfolk and parts of the South West faring especially badly. This pattern
seems to be due to further deterioration of rural areas in the south that
had been already relatively deprived. It is possible that the policy of targeting
regeneration on the most deprived areas may have been effective in raising
scores for those areas from the lowest levels, but that most rural areas
have not benefited.
Commission for Rural Communities
|
744
|
Rural aging workforce
|
Workforces are ageing and older staff, in spite
of some cultural myths, have many positive qualities to offer. Not
every workplace will be suited to the employing them but those that are,
and can manage them effectively can expect to be repaid handsomely by their
work ethic, people skills and application of accumulated experience.
The Rural Ageing Workforce: Older Staff – a Hindrance
or a Help? by Gabriella Parkes, Mike Robinson and Caroline Stanford-Billington,
Harper Adams University College, Journal of Rural Enterprise and Management
|
743
|
Grazing livestock and greenhouses in the UK
|
Livestock are significant contributors to greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions and some policies are discriminating against them.
However grazing livestock in the UK on non-intensive systems make a negligible
contribution. Native breeds contribute positively in many ways. Their local
adaptation on pastureland sequesters carbon and there are benefits for biodiversity.
They also have a cultural value through history and heritage. The focus of
GHG policy should be on agricultural processes that use fossil fuels and
contribute to deforestation and ploughing up of pasture, rather than on livestock.
Lawrence Alderson, Journal of the Royal Agricultural
Society of England
|
742
|
Auction marts
|
There has been intense commercial pressure
on livestock auctioneers for a number of years from rising costs and falling
numbers of stock being sold. Attractive gains from alternative uses
for market sites have also contributed to their demise. A number of markets
did not open following the suspension of trading caused by foot and mouth
disease in 2001. The remaining markets have survived by sourcing stock from
a wider catchment area and some have been innovative in developing multiple
site use.
James Jones, Royal Agricultural College, National Farm
Management Conference
|
741
|
County Farms
|
Farms owned and managed by Local Authorities
are an important strategic national asset that should be retained. Better
collaboration in the management of Local Authority Estates is needed. Regional
Economic Strategies should recognise the importance of the County Farm structure
as a crucial entry point for new entrants to agriculture. Local Authorities
should take a longer term view of their estates so that policy decisions
maximise revenue from development without undermining their principal objectives.
They should also make greater effort to develop wider benefits including renewable
energy, local food, public access, education, employment and the broader
rural economy.
‘The importance of the county farms service to the
rural economy’, Sir Don Curry, Chair of the Sustainable Farming and Food
Delivery Group
|
740
|
Female led business start ups
|
Female-led rural business start-up, particularly
in deprived rural areas, often involves a halting journey. Isolation,
lack of personal confidence, family responsibilities and commitments, lack
of access to finance and added ‘rural’ barriers all get in the way. Women
often have experienced diminished importance in being undervalued as a ‘lifestyle’
business when trying to access help. It takes time and investment before
their social capital can be realised economically. This project highlights
the benefits of a relatively low level of support provided it is targeted.
‘Encouraging Female Led Enterprise Start-Up in Rurally
Disadvantaged Areas’ by Izzy Warren-Smith and Polly Gibb, Harper Adams
University College, Journal of Rural Enterprise and Management
|
739
|
World markets and land use - the next 3-5
yrs
|
The recession will mainly affect developed
countries with relatively modest impacts in 2008, severe in 2009 and improvement
in 2010. 18 selected developing countries could add 450 million people to
their middle classes over the next decade. Global feed grains production has
increased by about a third over the past decade, a trend which will not be
de-railed. Global bioethanol production is predicted to grow by 6%
a year. There is likely to be increasing market/price volatility but uncertainty
shouldn’t derail market growth because social commitments to the developing
middle class globally are strong as are policy commitments to renewables.
William C Motes of Informa Economics inc, Washington,
DC, National Farm Management Conference 2008
|
738
|
HLS newe approach
|
Natural England (NE) has produced a set
of regional targeting maps to increase the environmental benefits delivered
through Higher Level Stewardship. In addition a range of themes have been
identified which allow farmers and managers to participate irrespective of
geography, providing they are delivering management options that support
the themes. This paper uses the East Midlands Region as an example of what
it all looks like.
|
737
|
Coalfields
|
England’s former coalfields are a story of
renewal and growth but the focus on physical and economic regeneration has
overlooked people. Jobs continue to be created but most are taken by people
coming into the areas. Policies need to focus on worklessness, skills, health
and motivation of local people. Lessons learned in coalfield regeneration,
particularly the need to act quickly after major job losses to ensure that
deprivation does not become ingrained are particularly important given the
recession.
‘A mine of opportunities - Local authorities and
the regeneration of the English coalfields’ The Audit Commission
|
736
|
Beef and sheep margins
|
Most beef and sheep producers lost money
last year - but they lost less than in recent years because they are becoming
more efficient. They only stay in business by drawing on the Single Farm
Payment
EBLEX Business Pointers
|
735
|
Public service reform and rural disadvantage
|
Reforming public services by promoting competition
is often ineffective in rural areas. Collaboration and the integration of
services can deliver better results. Service commissioners must rural-proof
the decisions they make and providers should not be allowed to meet their
targets by concentrating their activity in urban areas. Resource allocation
should take into account the additional costs of providing services to rural
communities. Strengthening local decision making will take time and money
to make it work effectively and in particular to engage disadvantaged people.
Tackling rural disadvantage through how public services
are reformed’ Commission for Rural Communities
|
734
|
Supplying local food to mainstream customers
|
There should be a consumer oriented definition
of local food. Local food producers need better market awareness and improved
production standards and to scale up production. Local food hubs or other
specialised intermediaries should be encouraged. Better merchandising of
local food in the store is needed and there should be a light-touch system
of store accreditation. Producers should collaborate in a single marketing
desk for local food. Public sector purchasers should be reminded of government
objectives of increasing tenders from small and local suppliers. A local food
information centre should be set up.
Henry Brown, Westley Consulting Limited and John
A Geldard FRAgS
|
| 733 |
Countryside survey
|
Declines in plant species richness have
slowed in all habitats but more improvement is needed to support wildlife
through climate change. The length of managed hedgerows has decreased but
those remaining are in better condition. Vegetation which prefers wetter
conditions and casts or prefers shade has increased as have the number of
non-native species. Habitat condition has improved in streams but not on their
banks. 80% of ponds are in poor condition. Soils are becoming less
acid and increases in carbon concentration in soil have slowed or reversed.
Defra and the Natural Environment Research Council
|
732
|
CAP Healthcheck agreements
|
The Council of Farm Ministers has agreed
the CAP Heathcheck with significant changes to the proposals tabled by Commissioner
Mariann Fischer Boel in May. The most significant is a much lower rate of
modulation, rising to 7% in 2009 and 10% in 2102. Farmers receiving over
€300,000 will pay an additional 4% on that share, making a top rate of 14%
(compared with 22% in the Commission).
|
731
|
Rural proofing
|
Rural proofing is not well embedded into
Departments’ policy making and outcomes have been disappointing. Confusion
remains among the numerous organisations involved. Defra is rural proofing
‘champion’, yet it has become increasingly pre-occupied with climate change
and sustainability. Mainstreaming rural issues demands a strengthened process
of rural proofing but there are long-standing barriers that need to be overcome
- the lack of knowledge amongst policy makers, proofing overload, a lack
of compulsion, an incomplete evidence base and the short time scale for policy
formulation
‘Rural Proofing in England: A Formal Commitment in
Need of Review’, Jane Atterton, Centre for Rural Economy, University of
Newcastle upon Tyne.
|
730
|
Pollution
|
Reductions in emissions of many of the
major pollutants have taken place but risks remain. Most freshwaters
in England are affected by nutrient enrichment. Acid deposition has caused
widespread damage to sensitive soils, waters and to sensitive plant species.
Critical loads for acidity are exceeded in 71% of the area of sensitive terrestrial
ecosystems. About 50% of river stretches may be at risk of failing quality
objectives due to diffuse phosphate pollution. Cypermethrin-based sheep
dips have impacted upon populations of white clawed crayfish, tributyl tin
is a persistent pollutant and anticoagulant rodenticides may be affecting
predators
‘State of the Natural Environment,’ Natural England
|
729
|
Halting biodiversity loss
|
The Government will fail to meet its 2010
target to halt biodiversity loss but good progress has been made in some
respects. For example, 80% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest are now
in a favourable condition and a number of rare species have recovered. Biodiversity
loss continues but there is no reason why it could not be halted and reversed
if government could embed protection in all policies.
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee
|
728
|
Welfare of farmed game birds
|
Critical concerns are training, knowledge
and experience of stockmen, barren raised cages for breeding pheasants and
partridges, whether breeding partridges could be over-wintered in larger
groups, stocking densities used for rearing birds, bits, spectacles
and brailles, support to birds in release areas and biosecurity.
Farm Animal Welfare Council
|
727
|
The recession and credit crunch in rural
economies
|
It’s too early to identify full impacts
and some have been positive – residential lettings and tourism particularly
but only in some areas. Higher costs and falls in spending are exacerbating
challenges rather than producing new ones. There have been business
closures, redundancies, difficulties accessing finance including late payments
by big firms to small. Agriculture is suffering impacts of increasing
costs and the wet harvest and construction businesses particularly are
finding work tough to get.
Commission for Rural Communities
|
726
|
Forest and woodland management
|
Woodland cover has increased from 5% to
9% of England since 1900 and new planting with broadleaved species is increasing.
Under-management can harm biodiversity but owners are discouraged by lack
of financial support, perceived over-regulation and the increased value
of land for food production. Woodland can sequester carbon more rapidly
than peat land and there are future opportunities for producing wood fuel
and fibre, green space and leisure.
‘State of the Natural Environment,’ Natural England
|
725
|
Rural businesses and internet connections
|
Although ICT and broadband are available
to rural businesses they have been slow to adopt it in an innovative way. Web
2.0 technologies are a range of communication and social networking tools
which could be used to achieve significant benefits as they can operate
independent of location, open new niche or global markets, improve knowledge
transfer or adopt an innovative marketing approach. The paper provides
a concise update about tools like blogs, wikis, social networking and podcasting.
‘Developing Rural SME’s Through Web 2.0 Technologies’
by Margaret McCann and Anne Smith of Caledonian Business School, Glasgow
Caledonian University, Journal of Rural Enterprise and Management
|
724
|
Biofuels
|
Biofuels have fallen in and out of favour.
Long-term there appears to be a small but significant role that biofuels
could play in the development of less carbon-intensive transportation. They
could supply about 26% of total transport fuel demand by 2050 but the realisation
of this depends on smart public policy that overcomes the very real problems.
‘The Potential Contribution of Biofuels to Sustainable
Development and a Low-carbon Future’, Thomas Legge, Chatham House
|
723
|
Wild bird populations
|
The population index of 116 breeding bird
species in the United Kingdom has remained broadly stable since 1970. The
indicator for farmland birds is about 55% of its 1970 value but
has remained fairly stable since the early 1990s. That for woodland
birds is about 20% lower than in the early 1970s. The most severe
decline took place in the late 1980s/early 1990s, with the indicator broadly
stable in recent years. The indicator of breeding seabird species is
30% higher than in 1970. That for wintering wetland birds rose
by nearly 80% between 1975/76 and 2001/02, but there are signs of a decline
in more recent years
Wild Bird Populations 2006: Sustainable Development
Strategy and Public Service Agreement Indicators, Defra
|
722
|
Future agriculture
|
For agriculture to be successful more
intensive production will be needed which will have to be managed within
environmental constraints some of which are objective and some of which
reflect public preferences. Success will depend on skills in resource
use including competing in world markets. The dominance of special interest
pressure groups and lack of expertise in government will bring problems
in achieving success.
Professor Sir John Marsh
|
721
|
The potential of England's rural economy
|
Sometimes, the rural economy seems to be
flourishing in spite of the framework that has been provided by the Government,
rather than because of it. Tackling the factors that inhibit the growth
of businesses in rural areas could make a substantial difference to the
performance of England's economy as a whole. These factors tend to be small
scale and specific to a location. Defra should focus on achieving economic
growth across rural areas as a whole, rather than concentrating solely on
areas with the lowest level of performance. It means translating the "big
picture approach" into policy solutions that have the flexibility to deal
with small-scale challenges.
Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs
|
720
|
Upland farming enquiry
|
I made a careless error in last week’s
email in attributing trenchant views about upland farming to a member Commission
for Rural Communities staff. This briefing hopefully gets it right.
It repeats the views, gives the CRC response and the link to the blog
so that you can present your perceptions.
|
719
|
Impact of the financial crisis on agriculture
(Some preliminary ideas)
|
The financial crisis is still unwinding
but it may result in more protectionist policies especially in the US and
EU. UK processors and retailers will
probably be under pressure to keep food prices down and will pass any pressures
on to farmers. Pressure on personal
incomes is likely to curtail the market for premium foods
Professor Sir John Marsh
|
718
|
Farm land market
|
Farmland values softened in the third
quarter of this year as an air of caution entered the market, but good quality
farms and estates are still in demand. It is likely that a two tier market
will emerge with the best quality farms and estates continuing to achieve
good sale prices. Poorer quality units will be more difficult to sell and
this will be reflected in values
Savills Rural Research Bulletin
|
717
|
Whose land is it anyway?
|
Future land use is all about coordinating
the long-term and the short-term, public and private interests, the economy
and the environment. It is ultimately a matter of democratic choice and
must engage a wide public debate. There is a need for experimentation and
demonstration in how to integrate agri-environment factors in a whole farm
approach - to date studies have concentrated on just one or two dimensions:
whether water quality, water supply, soil erosion, run-off and drainage,
aquatic biodiversity and terrestrial biodiversity and techniques such as
buffer zones or minimal tillage or rotational fallow.
Whose Land is it Anyway?’ Professor Philip
Lowe, Director, Rural Economy and Land Use Programme as part of Ecology
and Conservation Studies Society Lecture Series.
|
716
|
Development
|
Developed land covers almost 10% of
England, an increase of about 4% since the 1960s and the pace of development
is increasing with demands for housing and travel. The area of countryside
disturbed by noise and visual intrusion rose from 26% in the 1960s to 49%
in 2007. Development increases the demand for mineral extraction
which takes up more land but decommissioned extraction can provide sites
for waste disposal. Development damages habitats and decreases their connectivity.
‘State of the Natural Environment,’ Natural England
|
715
|
Cattle TB after the cessation of badger
culling
|
The Randomised Badger Culling Trial
demonstrated that, while it was underway, proactive badger culling reduced
bovine tuberculosis inside culled areas but increased incidence in neighbouring
areas, suggesting that the costs of such culling might outweigh the benefits.
This study investigated whether the impacts of culling persisted more than
one year after the trial. It was found that the incidence of cattle TB
inside culled areas was reduced more than during culling. In neighbouring
areas, increased TB observed during culling was not observed post-trial.
Although to-date the overall benefits of culling remain modest, they were
greater than was apparent during the culling period alone. The monitoring
is continuing.
‘The effects of annual widespread badger culls
on cattle tuberculosis following the cessation of culling’ Helen E. Jenkins,
and Christl A. Donnelly, Imperial College London, Rosie Woodroffe of the
Institute of Zoology
|
714
|
Community Land Trusts
|
Community Land Trusts could deliver
affordable housing but there are difficulties and they may need to be
regulated by the Tenant Services Authority. Pre-development support is
available from the Community Land Trust Fund and from the Communitybuilders
scheme whilst the Housing Corporation can help to buy and develop land. The
Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 will enable CLTs in ‘protected areas’ to
retain shared ownership homes as affordable by restricting the equity share
which the shared owner may acquire.
‘Community Land Trusts - a consultation’, Department
of Communities and Local Government
|
713
|
Natural heritage: pathway to health
|
The natural environment can have a restorative
effect on people, making them feel less stressed, more relaxed and more
able to concentrate. It can speed recovery from surgery, lower blood pressure,
improve mood, self esteem and behaviour. For healthy people it can improve
concentration and reduce stress. For urban communities it can reduce
violence and crime and improve social interaction
Institute of Rural Health
|
712
|
Invasive species and diseases
|
Most non-native species are benign and
only a small proportion becomes invasive but some can affect other species
and habitats and in the case of animal diseases affect livelihoods and
disrupt public access. Climate change will increase the risks from new invasive
species and diseases and alter the risks associated with existing species
and diseases.
‘State of the Natural Environment’ Natural England
|
711
|
Housing - protected areas
|
Protected area status will ensure
that affordable shared ownership properties are retained as such for
future purchasers. The system will allow developers will be allowed to
prevent tenants from purchasing additional shares in a property up to 100%
Consultation from the Department of Communities
and Local Government
|
710
|
Climate change and the natural environment
|
Among the impacts - seasonal events
in spring and summer are occurring earlier and migratory species have changed
their patterns of movement; extreme weather events may already be a significant
cause of change for instance where a tidal surge may cause permanent inundation
of freshwater habitat by salt water; the black grouse may become extinct
in the UK as upland habitats change; the frequency of accidental heathland
fires may increase and there may even be fires in bogs and broadleaved
woodlands; snow based recreation is likely to disappear; river flows could
decrease in summer and autumn by 50% but increase in winter by 15%.
State of the Natural Environment, Natural England
and Climate change and river flows in the 2050s, Environment Agency
|
709
|
Biopesticides
|
Biopesticides have a potentially
important contribution to make to agriculture. They do not leave toxic
residues and rarely have significant environmental impacts, thus they
could increase consumer confidence. Despite this there has been a poor
uptake in the UK because of the absence of a Europe wide market, because
the environmental sustainability of deploying them is unclear, because
of lack of resources in the policy network and because of the difficulty
regulators have in reaching a fragmented production industry. Farmers have
to take more risks with biopesticides, but the incentives may be absent
as most of the benefits are external to food production.
Biological Alternatives to Chemical Pesticide
Inputs in the Food Chain: An Assessment of Sustainability’, Economic
and Social Research Council
|
708
|
Rusource briefings 2007
|
The library of briefings is reviewed
every year. They are updated where possible or deleted from the
library if they are out of date. The new list of briefings produced
in 2007 is given with their summaries. If you want to access there
is a link on the title. These and other briefings in the library can
be accessed on the Arthur Rank Centre website at
http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/projects/rusource_briefings/index.html
|
707
|
Rural impacts of road pricing
|
Road pricing may reduce motoring
costs for some rural residents but increase them for others; but even
those who benefit may be disadvantaged by the longer term secondary impacts
on house prices, tranquillity, services, community vitality and social
networks.
Commission for Rural Communities and the Universities
of Plymouth and Aberdeen
|
706
|
Technology and rural transport
|
Over the next 15- 20 years increasing
fuel costs, climate change, more cars and older drivers may increase
the gulf between public and private transport. Developing ICT may reduce
commuting but also make it possible for more people who can use it to
live in the countryside. New technological solutions to mobility are likely
to be more accessible to urban than rural people. More isolated rural
communities may result but these may encourage more local services and
more self-sufficient consumption.
Commission for Rural Communities and the University
of the West of England.
|
705
|
Social contribution of land based
industries to rural communities
|
Interactions between land based industries
and rural communities varied from place to place, reflecting the nature
of the industries themselves, local social structures, and the influence
of key individuals. Land managers’ influence has declined because of their
lack of time and the growing role of newcomers but there were still areas
where they were very influential. Rural residents have expectations
of land managers for access, conservation and freedom from too much farm
traffic, noise and smells but overall there were more ‘fault lines’
within communities than between land based businesses and communities.
Research Summary No.1, Countryside
and Community Research Institute
|
704
|
Enjoying the natural environment
|
People are spending more time indoors
and visits to the countryside are in decline but there were still 74.8
million visits in a year to National Parks, for instance. Average spend
on countryside visits at £13.99
is lower than for all leisure trips (£25.09). Walking is the main
activity and volunteering is an important way for people to get out and
it is on the increase. We need to increase visits from young adults,
low income groups, the disabled, older people and women
‘State of the Natural Environment’, Natural
England
|
703
|
Sustainable rural accessability
|
Transport has a key role to play
in enhancing the quality of life of rural residents. Sustainable rural
accessibility theory is well founded but it is not always being translated
into best practice due to the complexities of the delivery process and
funding constraints. Partnerships lie at the heart of successful schemes.
More needs to be done to listen to ‘the true voice’ of rural people and
support local champions. An ever evolving public transport network for
rural areas requires strategic co-ordination
Commission for Rural Communities in collaboration
with Integrated Transport Planning
|
702
|
A clear solution for farmers – England
Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative
|
The EU’s Water Framework Directive
(WFD) came into force in December 2000.
In order to comply with WFD, the UK must protect, enhance and restore
all surface and groundwater bodies, and aim to achieve good ecological
status by 2015.
Natural England
|
701
|
Personal budgets for social care
of older people
|
It will be important to examine the
impact of personalisation of social care in rural areas on resource allocation,
community social cohesion and the social care workforce. The role of
the voluntary sector will be vital. Local government will need to work
in partnership with outside agencies, including rural interest groups.
Older people’s experiences and views need to be considered.
‘The personalisation of adult
social care in rural areas’ Professor
Jill Manthorpe and Dr Martin Stevens, Social Care Workforce Research
Unit, King’s College London
|
700
|
Reducing rural carbon
|
Achieving UK policy targets for carbon
emissions will require considerable reductions in rural travel. There
will need to be journeys foregone, more teleworking and tele-learning,
once a day deliveries to community drop off centres, more healthcare in
communities, more sharing of low carbon transport, car parking charges,
temporary road closures, more local food production, more local leisure
facilities and more local sourcing of work. Some form of ’sticks’ will
also be needed like permissions to emit carbon and non-availability of
petrol. Technical solutions have been proposed but may not happen so government
and communities need to be working now to get the necessary changes underway.
‘Thinking about rural transport - rural life
without carbon’ Commission for Rural Communities and MVA Consultancy
|
699
|
Regional agriculture
|
Eastern region has the highest crop
output and the highest Total income from Farming. The South West has
the highest livestock output. Farming makes up less than 1% of regional
value added in every region. The farming workforce ranges from 2.89% of
the total workforce in the South West to only 0.14% in the South East
and London. The numbers of farm holdings is rising but the area cropped
has fallen. Livestock numbers have fallen too with pigs down 39%
nationally.
Defra
|
698
|
Biomass for renewable energy
|
Under-utilised resources like manure
and straw, tree thinnings, prunings and other wood residues and purpose
grown energy crops can produce energy and income, reduce waste disposal
costs and have positive environmental impacts. The cost of boilers is
high though grants are available, production costs can vary with individual
circumstances and the value of the finished product may fluctuate.
The cost and complexity of getting a grid connection can be a barrier for
local electricity production. There is also a fair amount of bureaucracy
to be handled
Farming Futures
|
697
|
Public decision making
|
Whilst there has been a considerable
increase in community involvement in rural decision-making over the past
20 years, the structures within which decisions are made have become
more complicated and who actually makes decisions, and for whom, is often
less clear than it was. There are 175 Agents of Rural Governance in Gloucestershire
who are responsible for crowding, knotting, clouding, meandering, subverting
and impoverishing the democratic process.
Countryside & Community Research Institute
|
696
|
Farm anaerobic digestion
|
Farm anaerobic digestion can help
dispose of waste, mitigate climate change and increase profits. Feedstock
can include animal manures, energy crops, food by-products, biodegradable
domestic waste or sewage. The process produces biogas which can
be burnt to produce electricity and heat and digestate which is used as
fertiliser. Set up costs are high and permits are needed if waste is
to be brought on to the farm.
‘Focus on: farm anaerobic digestion’, Farming
Futures
|
695
|
Land use challenge
|
This discussion paper asks for views
on how do we can achieve more democratic decision making and build policies
to manage the complex and changing demands we make on our land and water
resources and how can we incorporate climate change into the mix.
Rising to the land-use challenge: issues
for policy-makers,Vicki Swales and Alan Woods, Rural Economy and Land
Use Programme
|
694
|
Climate change and renewable energy
|
The growing season for crops has
increased by around one month in the last century and swallows arrive
ten days earlier than they did fifty years ago. Rural areas have a significantly
higher carbon production rate per person than urban areas. Agriculture
is a minor emitter of carbon dioxide. Methane and nitrous oxide are more
significant but have fallen in recent years. Bioenergy currently generates
less than 1% of the UK’s energy and most of this comes from natural gas
tapped from landfill waste sites.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
693
|
Environmental quality
|
Most rural districts have a three-fold
increase in areas disturbed by visual and noise intrusion over 1960s
levels. Air quality in rural areas is generally good although levels
of ozone can be higher than in urban areas. River water quality
is improving, but concerns remain about diffuse pollution from agriculture.
The condition of designated sites is also improving. The recent declines
in specialist farmland and woodland bird species appear to have halted.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
692
|
Milk production costs
|
Milk producers’ confidence that
improved over last winter with better prices is fragile as costs soar.
Kite Consulting estimates current costs of production at 25-26 pence
per litre and that prices need to go up 3ppl above this to allow producers
a margin for reinvestment.
‘Cost of production update’ Kite
Consulting
|
691
|
New blood 4
|
It’s not just a matter of getting
‘Young blood’ but ‘New blood’ because in the next few years fewer young
people will enter the workforce and it will not be possible to meet skills
shortages through young people alone. All the organisations involved
in promoting careers in the sector should agree core messages and perhaps
pool budgets to achieve greater and continuing impact. The article
describes Lantra initiatives and how they are having an impact.
Royal Agricultural Society of England
|
690
|
Leisure and recreation
|
The public has open access to
nearly 1 million hectares of land, most of which is concentrated in
the unenclosed uplands of England. Access to the enclosed countryside
in the lowlands is provided along nearly 190,000 km of public rights
of way, most of which are public footpaths. A third of adults take a
walk in the countryside at least once a year. Participation in outdoor
recreation is lowest in the lower social classes, amongst single people
without children and those aged over 65. Angling, horse riding and game
shooting have direct impacts on the way the countryside is managed and
contribute to the rural economy.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
689
|
Land use and development
|
Built-up areas cover around 8.6%
of England; half of this area is gardens and green space. Rural towns,
villages and hamlets account for about a quarter of the total built-up
area. Demand for new development is significantly higher in rural areas
than urban areas. Agriculture covers about 70% of England. Woodland and
forestry covers a further 8%. The value of agricultural land rose
sharply during 2007, mainly due to increases in the prices of agricultural
commodities and to high demand for ‘lifestyle’ rural properties with land.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
688
|
Farming and forestry
|
Increasing cereal prices and the
removal of the requirement for farmers to set-aside land will result
in an increase in arable cropping. Rising milk prices have returned profitability
to dairy farming but this is tempered by the high cost of fertiliser
and other inputs. Continuing demand for high quality differentiated foods
is maintaining interest in organic farming, farmers’ markets and other
initiatives. Over half of agricultural land now receives payments to provide
environmental benefits. The average age of farmers continues to rise. There
is growing interest in the role of England’s woodland as a store of atmospheric
carbon and a source of woodfuel.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
687
|
Economic growth or economic well-being
|
Academics are exploring ways
of refining the use of Gross Value Added to measure wealth, take account
hidden costs and take account of people’s wellbeing. Two examples of
indices show that l disposable incomes would be reduced when congestion,
commuting and emissions are taken into account. However regional
differences in income are narrowed and rural areas tend to fare better
than on GVA alone. Also allowing for economic, social and environmental
costs and benefits reduces economic wellbeing.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
686
|
Enterprise and entrepreneurship
|
Rural districts have a greater
proportion of self-employment, higher rates of home working and of
women starting businesses and higher survival rates than those in urban
areas. They also supported an annual growth in new firm formation of 2.7%
between 1998 and 2006, while in urban districts the rate declined by 2.3%.
Rural firms closely mirror the broad industrial sectors found in urban
economies. 79% of the additional workplaces between 2003 and 2006 in rural
areas were to be found in banking, financial and insurance sectors. Growth
was been highest in micro-firms (1-10 employees) in rural districts at 22%.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
685
|
Employment
|
The most rural districts have
the highest rate of employment but many have relatively low rates.
Self-employment has increased everywhere but more in rural than urban
England. Commuting to urban areas represents 17% of all employment for
rural residents. Employment in agriculture has fallen by about 7% since
1999 and by 39% for full-time farm workers. There have been increases
of up to 22% in knowledge intensive businesses in the most rural areas
since 1998.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
684
|
Incomes and expenditure
|
Rural households have higher
gross incomes than urban but the average masks gradients across the
country and within rural areas. The percentage of rural residents in
poverty has risen from 16% to 19%. Wages for jobs in rural areas are
lower than for urban areas and lowest in the peripheral areas such as
Northumberland and Cornwall. Expenditure on food and on transport amongst
the lowest income quintile in rural local authorities is higher than
in mixed and urban authorities. Rural areas have experienced a faster
rate of economic growth than large urban areas.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
683
|
Deprivation
|
Rural areas have less concentrated
deprivation than urban areas. Inequalities between rural areas have
tended to increase since 2004. 15% of deprived individuals live
in rural areas. Fuel poverty is more common in sparse areas. Levels
of people with a disability are higher in rural areas than in urban areas
- much of this will be due to the older population
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
682
|
Community Cohesion
|
Most, but not all, rural communities
are strong. Students from rural areas tend to return to their
county of origin to a lesser degree than students from urban areas.
Community shops are mainly in more affluent rural areas. Levels of crime
are generally lower than in urban areas but are rising in some areas
and for some forms of crime. Unauthorised pupil absence rates for teenage
conceptions tend to be lower in rural areas.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
681
|
Farm Practises
|
Knackermen and hunt kennels
were the main ways farmers disposed of fallen stock. 96% of journeys
with livestock were less than an hour. 26% of farmers were already
adapting to climate change. 47% of farmers with hedges cut them every
2 or 3 years, 37% cut them annually. More farmers are now recycling
waste. 70% of holdings had a soil management plan. Co-operative buying
and selling is increasing. 24% of farmers use benchmarking. 20% of farmers
practice integrated farm management. 98% of farmers wanted to be
sensitive to the environment. 74% of farmers have access to a computer
and 75% of these are on broadband. Lack of skills and time were the main
reasons they did not use their computers more.
Farm Practices Survey Defra
|
680
|
Policing
|
Police forces are using specialist
rural teams, neighbourhood officers, rural training and mobile police
stations to help to improve rural community confidence. Neighbourhood
policing teams should make the most of existing rural gatherings and
engage with key groups. Text messages are a good way of passing information
to farmers and using the local press, supermarket surgeries and Watch
schemes all help. Rural communities must be able to influence priorities.
Hare coursing, thefts from stables, speeding, inappropriate off-road
vehicle use, anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and stack fires all need
attention.
National Policing Improvement Agency
Neighbourhood Policing Programme Team
|
679
|
Communities in control
|
The white paper aims to empower
communities to have control and influence on decision making, as the
essence of a strong democracy. By strengthening the role of local councillors,
encouraging more participatory action and community activity and better
accountability, it sends a clear message about the direction of government
travel.
Communities in Control – a rural commentary,
Commission for Rural Communities
|
678
|
Education
|
Children living in rural areas
tend to perform better at school. The proportion of the population
with no or low qualifications relates to local economic performance.
This could imply that those with good qualifications tend not to stay in,
or move to poorly performing areas or that areas with high proportions
of adults with low qualifications tend to under-perform economically
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
677
|
Health
|
Health levels are generally
better in rural areas – this seems to relate more closely to patterns
of higher incomes than to rurality itself – where rural incomes are
lower, people do not have such healthy outcomes. Data about prevalence
of disease shows higher levels for rural populations, due to their relatively
higher age profile. Per capita NHS funding is 30% lower for more affluent
and rural areas than for more deprived and urban areas.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
676
|
Housing & homelessness
|
Housing affordability remains
a major issue in rural areas, especially for lower quartile prices
and incomes. It is worst in sparse rural areas, and in the South West,
Norfolk and parts of Yorkshire. Homelessness and the number in temporary
accommodation continues to fall. Second homes and cash house purchases
are more common in rural areas, and much more common in coastal areas,
such as Cornwall and North Norfolk and with somewhat higher rates in non-coastal
areas popular with tourists, such as Cumbria.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
675
|
Taylor Review - case studies
|
Case study summaries which
show how housing and economic development are being brought about in
rural areas. ‘Living
working countryside’ The Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable
Housing, Department for Communities and Local Government
|
674
|
Nitrates directives |
The area of England in Nitrate
Vulnerable Zones will increase from 55% to 68% on January 1st 2009.
Maps of NVZs are now available and a national map showing the new areas
is part of this paper. Farmers will be able to appeal against inclusion.
The closed period for spreading organic manure overwinter will not be changed
and will be extended to all soil types. Farmers will be required to provide
6 months storage for pig and poultry manure and 5 months for cattle slurry
but with three years to invest in the required facilities. Government is
to apply for derogation of the 170kgN/ha/yr whole farm limit.
Defra
|
673
|
Travel
|
Rural residents travel greater
distances and more of their travel is by car. Car ownership relates
closely to income, but in rural areas, people with low incomes are more
likely to own cars than in urban areas. Generally, traffic growth is
fastest in more remote rural areas and slowest in major cities and areas
close to them. During 2006 urban traffic levels fell by 2% but grew
by 1% on rural roads, and 2% on motorways.
The trend towards fewer people being killed or seriously injured
in road accidents continues but slowed in 2006.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
672
|
Soil
|
50% of farmers have experienced some soil erosion and agriculture
is the main source of silt in rivers.
Eroded soil particles carry bound pollutants such as phosphorus,
pesticides, heavy metals and micro-organisms; 60% of the phosphorus
lost from agriculture is associated with soil erosion. Greater emphasis
is being given to protecting soil as part of CAP cross compliance.
Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2007, Defra
|
671
|
Service and internet access
|
The number of outlets for most kinds of service continues
to decline and access to bus services has stopped improving. The number
of supermarkets in rural areas has increased. The use of broadband
has risen rapidly and now is similar to urban but it is higher in areas
with high levels of commuting than in sparse rural areas. There are
concerns about speed of access to broadband in some rural areas.
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
670
|
Horticulture
|
Horticulture produces 14% of agricultural output by value
but the total horticultural area has declined by 40% since the 1970s.
The greatest percentage increase in output over the last ten years
has been in soft fruit (including protected fruit) which has increased
by 52%. Producer prices have
been variable but the cost of inputs are increasing hugely.
Maps of regional distribution of horticulture
are given.
Horticulture Production in England, Farm Business
Survey
|
669
|
Tayor Review
|
The planning process has to become an engine of regeneration
or we face a future of rural decline. Over-zealous or ill-thought
through restriction of development has held back rural economies and
made rural homes increasingly unaffordable. The right balance of
housing and employment opportunities are crucial. We need a can-do system
that asks the question of each development proposal “how will this
development add to or diminish the sustainability of this community”
and includes social, economic and environmental factors in the answer.
‘Living working countryside’ The Taylor Review
of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing, Department for Communities
and Local Government
|
668
|
Population and migration
|
The population of rural
England continues to grow faster than the country as a whole although
the rate of migration has fallen in the last two years. Most households
moving into rural areas are families with young children and people
aged from about 44 to 64, while most moving out are aged 15 to 29.
Most internal moves are over fairly short distances. Migration from overseas
has increased dramatically. There are now an increasing number of overseas
migrants from the Indian sub-continent and the Far East in many rural
areas
State of the countryside 2008, Commission
for Rural Communities
|
667
|
Rural financial poverty
|
Poverty levels have bottomed
out, and in some cases started to improve but there has been a rise
in the importance of poverty in employment. This presents a challenge
to policy which is primarily geared towards reducing poverty by reducing
unemployment and shifts the agenda towards issues such as low pay and
self-employment.
Rural financial poverty – priorities
for action’ Commission for Rural Communities
|
666
|
Dairy Farming
|
Profitability in dairy farming
in 2006/07 was lower than in 2005/06 because the lower milk price
and increased costs outweighed an increase in milk yield. The most
profitable producers operate larger herds, with more intensive production
systems and achieve higher milk prices. Currently the milk price offered
to producers is substantially greater than 12 months previously but increased
costs are likely to erode a substantial element of any benefit this
brings.
Farm Business Survey, Rural Business
Research
|
665
|
Rusource briefings 2007
|
RuSource briefings are reviewed
annually, updated where appropriate and withdrawn from the library
if they are outdated. This briefing summarises briefings from
the first half of 2007 which have now been reviewed and gives links
to the full papers on the Arthur Rank Centre website.
|
| 664 |
Water and air
|
Agriculture uses 2% of the
water we consume, accounts for 60% of the nitrate and 29% of the phosphate
in rivers though the amounts of both
are falling. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture account for
around 7% of total UK emissions but
37% of the methane, 63% of the nitrous oxide and 90% of the
ammonia though all have gone down
in the last 10 years.
This paper is summarised from the
chapter on the Environment in ‘Agriculture in the United Kingdom
2007’, the government’s annual summary
of statistics. The full report can be downloaded from
http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/publications/auk/default.asp |
663
|
State of the Countryside
|
There seems to be increased
inequality in rural areas and whilst in the more peripheral areas
disadvantage is apparent in more central areas it tends to be masked
by the averages used in area-based statistics so that poor rural people’s
needs are not recognised. Growth in internet access has been dramatic
but it impacts on the viability of more traditional service delivery which
continues to shrink. Rural communities are seeing pressures for land
use change that are not in keeping with how they have viewed their areas
in the past.
Commission for Rural Communities
|
662
|
Landscapes, habitats and
species
|
About 8% of England’s land
area is covered by National Parks. The total length of hedges was
more or less stable when last estimated in 1998 but there were less
remnant hedges and walls. About 60% of our land area is down to either
improved grassland or crops and 8% is built up. Agricultural activities
account for about half the damage to Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Agriculture in the United Kingdom
2007 Defra |
661
|
Post Offices - local funding
|
Post Office Ltd will discuss
local funding of post office services with local authorities or
community groups. It recommends the use of a model produced with Essex
County Council. Post Office Ltd needs to ensure that all of its costs
are covered. A commitment is required for several years and there must
be no damaging impact on the remaining network in the area.
Local Government Association
|
660
|
Pig production
|
Over the last ten years
the UK pig population has declined by 39% and we have gone from producing
116% of what we consumed down to 69%. The fittest, often the largest,
units are surviving but over half of specialist pig units lose money.
Farm Business Survey, Rural Business
Research
|
659
|
Food strategy review
|
The Strategy Review recommends
that the UK should lead in looking at climate change and global
food security, that there should be public engagement about fair
prices, safer food, healthier diets reducing wastage and improving
the environment and we should work with other European countries to
promote agriculture’s role in coping with climate change.
Food Matters: Towards a Strategy
for the 21st Century. Cabinet Office Strategy Unit
|
658
|
Carbon baseline project
|
There is scope for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions on most farms. The CALM calculator will
allow farmers to compare their results against the range in the study.
Natural England
|
657
|
How economic policy damages
rural areas
|
Professor Nigel Curry argues
that the rural economy gets squeezed out of economic policies on
all fronts. Wealth is urban - Regional Development Agencies’
drive to maximise Gross Value Added will disadvantage rural areas
because urban GVAs are higher so that’s where the support will go.
City regions, the new territorial basis for planning, will hurt rural
areas too far from a city to benefit from the trickle down of wealth.
Local authorities are being asked to push for wellbeing rather than
wealth but definitions of wellbeing are too complex for this to be successful.
And EU support is for farmers, not other rural folk.
|
656
|
Tackling bovine TB – the
government’s plans |
Government has decided
that culling badgers to control TB is too costly and may be ineffective.
Instead extra money will be put into research into developing vaccines
for both cattle and badgers and working out ways to use them effectively
– though it could be some time before vaccines are available. A Bovine
TB Partnership Group is to be set up to develop a plan for the future
Ministerial announcement, Defra
|
655
|
Countryside recreation
|
Over 90% of the population
visits the countryside sometime during the year. They value the fresh
air, scenery and tranquillity they find there most. Over 80% go walking,
30% have a picnic and 13% go bird watching
Agriculture in the United Kingdom
2007 Defra
|
654
|
New blood 3
|
Continuing the discussion
with views from three readers and new articles on skills development
in the pig industry and a point of view from an agricultural supplier.
Have you had your say yet?
Royal Agricultural Society of England
|
653
|
State of Farming
|
Most farmers have received
better prices for their produce over the last few months though,
for various reasons, many have got nowhere near the spectacular levels
mentioned in the media. And input costs are rising fast, in some cases
more than wiping out any gains. Growing crops are looking good
and that always makes farmers feel better and there is an increasingly
detectable conviction that farming is ‘coming right’. There are longer
term worries though about beef and sheep production, particularly in the
hills, about prospects for pigs and table poultry, about the continuous
creep of legislation and about bovine TB and newer disease challenges in
future.
Rural Business Research
|
652
|
Participatory budgeting
|
Participatory budgeting
allows citizens to participate in the allocation of part of their
local Council’s budget. It enables them to engage in prioritising
the needs of their neighbourhoods, to propose and debate new services
and projects and to set budgets. Rural take-up is low so far but
there is potential for it to be used in bringing Parish and Town plans
to fruition.
Crispin Moor, Commission for Rural
Communities
|
651
|
Planning for sustainable
communities
|
Rural development has
been limited by policies which fail to exploit rural strengths. Rural
areas need more well paid employment and better access to training,
business advice, affordable housing and live-work units. More imagination
is needed to realise new ways of delivering local services. Rural
transport should link up better to national networks. Rural contributions
to addressing climate change should be recognised and promoted. We must
ensure that Government policies for empowered communities work for rural
England.
Commission for Rural Communities
|
650
|
Poultry production
|
The UK poultry industry
has grown in the last 20 years largely due to a near doubling of
the number of birds for meat. The number of laying hens has declined
over the same period, but increases in hen productivity have largely
maintained production. 69% of broiler production comes from the 13%
of holdings and 78% of egg production comes from 1% of holdings. The
price of eggs was rising faster than costs of production between 2000
and 2004, but egg prices fell back sharply in 2005 though they began
rising again in 2006. Poultry meat prices have risen only slowly since
2000 and have been outpaced by rises in the costs of production
Farm Business Survey, Rural Business
Research
|
649
|
Rusource briefings 2006
|
RuSource briefings are
reviewed annually, updated where appropriate and withdrawn from
the library if they are outdated. This briefing summarises 2006
briefings which have now been reviewed and gives links to the full papers
on the Arthur Rank Centre website
|
648
|
Organic farming
|
In January 2007 the area
of land that was organically managed remained unchanged from January
2006 after three years of decline. Organic land is now about 3% of
our total agricultural area and 85% of it is pasture. 29% of organic
livestock producers in the United Kingdom were in the southwest of
England. Organic farms had higher net farm incomes than conventional
across a range of farm types.
Defra
|
647
|
Post Office network
|
Government has committed
to a network of around 11,500 outlets with outreach services to
2011. The Committee is worried that payments for providing outreach
services may be too low, that they are unable to accept packets heavier
than 2kg, that profitable post offices may be closed where Post Office
Ltd believes closure might save them money overall, that continued closures
increase overheads for remaining outlets and so threaten their viability
and that the Royal Mail Group should not be the sole arbiter of closure
decisions. Involving local authorities in running post offices may be
difficult because they will need to show that they do not impact deleteriously
on the rest of the network. Social impacts of withdrawing payment services
from the post office network need more consideration by government and
regulators.
‘After the Network Change Programme:
the future of the post office network.’ House of Commons Business
and Enterprise Committee
|
646
|
Beef and sheep still
losing money
|
Net margins have improved
for cattle and worsened for sheep but most producers are still
making a loss. The cost of inputs rose by up to 17% mainly
due to higher prices of purchased feeds. Because they tend to use
less bought feed beef suckler herds and breeding flocks were hit less
by high feed prices but increased labour, fuel and machinery and stock
replacement costs still made a large dent in their margins. For
beef enterprises better sale prices pushed output up by 11-19% but breeding
flocks did badly with sales falling by 12-13% because lambs were sold
last autumn when the price was very low.
Eblex
|
645
|
Migrant workers and
local councils
|
Over the past four years
rural areas have experienced over 200% growth in the number of migrant
workers. Many communities and local public services have
little experience of them and they are not always treated fairly.
There are good examples now where councils, sometimes with employers,
are working hard to ensure the voices of migrants are heard and help
is at hand. The CRC is researching the likely future economic impacts
of migrants.
Commission for Rural Communities
|
644
|
UK agricultural research
and development – a new vision
|
The continuing decline
in agricultural R&D is reducing the competitiveness of the UK
agricultural industry and putting food security at risk. A new vision
is urgently required to develop innovative agricultural systems that
are competitive, which reduce reliance on food imports but which also
deliver the required environmental benefits.
Professor David Leaver, Commercial
Farmers Group
|
643
|
Rural development programme
|
The 2007-2013 rural
development programmes have overall budgets of €5,187 million for
England, €991 million for Wales, €2,133 million for Scotland and
€323 million for Northern Ireland. Most spending provides support for
Axis 2 - Improving the environment and the countryside, which includes
support for farmers in less favoured areas and funding for agri-environment
schemes.
Agriculture in the United Kingdom
2007 Defra
|
642
|
Rural business needs
|
The Rural Advocate
proposes a Rural Finance Forum to tackle lower capital investment,
poorer access to finance, and lower funding for rural economic initiatives,
a Rural Innovation Initiative to address the special challenges and
opportunities in sparse or remote rural areas, the development of new
forms of brokerage, networks and clusters to improve access to support
programmes and share good practice, that government, insurance and
rural industries work together to improve the response to disease and
bad weather and develop new insurance products, the Environmental Transition
Fund should support rural communities to develop new forms of flood protection
and a series of Rural Summits to focus on releasing the potential of
rural economies.
England’s rural areas: steps
to release their economic potential - advice from the Rural Advocate
to the Prime Minister, Commission for Rural Communities
|
641
|
Hill farm incomes
|
Farm business income
of the average LFA farm was only £10, 786 last year and
once family labour is allowed for this falls to -£8,800.
LFA farm incomes have fallen increasingly behind the all farms average
since 2002-3. A research study calculates that the value of public support
for hill farming significantly exceeds the cost.
‘Farm Business Survey, 2006/2007’
Rural Business Research
|
640
|
Affordable housing
progress
|
In response to the
Affordable Housing Commission Report two years ago government
have provided a supportive planning policy and set an investment
target for affordable housing in villages. However key gaps remain
among which are building skills in local authorities and communities,
positive action by Regional Assemblies and the Planning Inspectorate
to encourage local authorities, the rural target only would provide
about half of the needed affordable homes and there has been no change
in the tax regime to encourage landowners to release sites. The paucity
of evidence about the market is also a problem
‘Assessment of the implementation
of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission’s recommendations’.
Commission for Rural Communities
|
639
|
New blood 2
|
Last week’s discussion
continues with 5 views from readers and new articles from Professor
David Leaver and Richard Clarke. Read this week’s contributions
and email me with your views.
Royal Agricultural Society
of England |
638
|
Payments to farmers
|
In 2007 direct payments
made to farmers less levies totalled £2.96 billion, broadly
similar to the preceding three years. Payments linked to production
fell from £82 million to £60million
Agriculture in the United Kingdom
2007’ Defra |
637
|
Rural proofing review
|
Use of rural proofing
in policy making and delivery is variable. Barriers include not
knowing about it or the need for it, lack of awareness of the different
effects of policies in different spatial areas, policy making is not
a step by step process where rural proofing can be applied at specific
points, for policies with local flexibility it is thought to be up
to local government to consider, there are 11-12 other impacts to assess
and it is not mandatory.
GHK for the Commission for
Rural Communities |
636
|
Food chain
|
Food inflation reached
6% in December 2007. The price of butter and eggs rose by 30%
and bread and milk rose by about 15%. The agri-food sector accounted
for 6.9% of the total economy. 20% of total consumers’ expenditure
was on food, drink and catering. Farmgate share of a basket of food
staples was 36%, hardly changed since 2006. The agri-food sector provided
a total of just over 3.6 million jobs, 14% of all employees in Great
Britain. Self sufficiency in food continues to decline. It
is 74% for indigenous type food.
Agriculture in the United
Kingdom 2007, Defra
|
635
|
New blood
|
A discussion aimed
at finding out the best way to recruit young people to farming
starts with the views of outside and from a farmer. Sir Mike
Tomlinson argues that farming needs to show that it is complex,
technical, challenging and satisfying and how it meets society’s
needs for food fuel, wildlife and leisure. Farming careers
must also fit new patterns of work and offer better conditions of
employment especially housing. Essex farmer Guy Smith says farmers
should stop moaning about their lot and look around, see what a
great job they have and what a great job they do, and help to promote
an image which we can attract the dynamic, go-ahead, can-do youngsters
we need. Read the articles and let the RASE know what you think.
Royal Agricultural Society
of England |
634
|
CAP health check
|
The European Commission
proposes to end milk quotas and set-aside and to add to farmers’
environmental obligations. Member countries will retain
up to 10% of their payments for use in other sectors, to address
regional disadvantage, for restructuring and for risk management
against disease and natural disasters. There will be an increase
of 8% in the modulation of funds to the Rural Development budget and
a further increase of 2% annually with higher rates for larger farms.
|
633
|
Environmental Stewardship
– review of progress
|
Environmental Stewardship
is working well but climate change needs to be added as a major
theme and payment rates should be reviewed. Schemes should
be more tailored to local circumstances, and be enhanced and an
advisory service should be set up to facilitate this. Support for
some capital works is proposed. The review makes over 100 detailed
recommendations to fine tune the schemes.
Defra and Natural England
|
632
|
Health, place and
nature
|
For people to be
healthy, the environment around them must be health enhancing
and provide opportunities to live a healthy life - a health evidence
base to support sustainable approaches to the natural and built environment.
’Health, Place and Nature
– How Outdoor Environments Influence Health and Wellbeing: a
Knowledge Base’ Sustainable Development Commission
|
631
|
Prices
|
In 2007 the average
price of crop products rose by 22%; the price of wheat was 74%
higher in December 2007 than in December 2006. The average price
of livestock and livestock products rose by 7.1%, the price of milk
went up by 15%. The average price of agricultural inputs rose by
8.8%. The average price of agricultural land has risen by 43% since
1996-98.
Agriculture in the United
Kingdom 2007, Defra
|
630
|
Structure of the
industry
|
Agricultural holdings
make up 77% of the UK land area. Areas of most crops and
numbers of most livestock types have fallen over the last 10 years.
Exceptions are the oilseed rape area and table poultry numbers.
The number of breeding sows has gone down by 41%. The labour
force shows a double figure percentage drop. The average age of farmers
is rising and 75% have no formal training. Fixed capital employed
in agriculture has fallen by 14%.
Agriculture in the United
Kingdom 2007, Defra
|
629
|
Farm income 2007
|
Total Income from
Farming rose by 5.7% in real terms. Agriculture produced about
0.5% of gross national value added and takes up 1.7% of national
employment. Farm incomes for cropping and dairy farms in England have
increased while incomes for livestock farms have fallen. Over a third
of farms had a farm business income of less than £10,000.
Agriculture in the United
Kingdom 2007, Defra
|
628
|
Milk environmental
roadmap
|
The road map identifies
the environmental impacts of milk through the supply chain and
sets targets for reducing its environmental footprint. Producer
targets include 65% of dairy farms in Environmental Stewardship, and
95% of herds with a health plan by 2010. Processors have undertaken
that, by 2020, half of all milk packaging will come from renewable
sources and their water use will go down by 30%. The work of transferring
retailers’ commitments to the roadmap is not yet complete.
‘The Milk Road Map’ produced
Dairy Supply Chain Forum Sustainable Consumption & Production
Taskforce for Defra.
|
627
|
Bluetongue update
|
We should do all
we can to develop a culture that encourages vaccination. Although
this will not stop bluetongue completely it will help to control
the spread of the disease. Unfortunately the vaccine is serotype-specific
and if another serotype enters the UK then a different vaccine
will need to be developed
Revd Nick Read, Hereford
Diocese
|
626
|
W(h)ither rural?
|
The Second World
War economy engendered two canons which have controlled countryside
planning - ‘no development’ and ‘every agricultural acre counts’.
These canons have been reinforced by subsequent events. An economic
case ne |
