Thursday, 29
Corner shops and supermarkets

Have you heard that some supermarkets are coming to the aid of rural shops by supplying them with goods and produce on a weekly basis? I am told that with this increased range of goods, takings are up and perhaps some of these rural businesses can turn the corner. This is a fine example of poacher turned gamekeeper. My source tells me that Sainsbury's and Tesco are leading the way. I hope that they will eventually source more of their produce locally and provide a boost to our rural enterprises.

Tuesday, 27
The Pig Industry

A friend wrote to me observing; "10 years ago in its wisdom, our government banned stall and tether systems for sows. However, these systems continued in Holland, Denmark and pretty well everywhere else. We are now in the ridiculous position that since the ban, we consume more meat reared under stall and tether systems than we did before the ban. Our pig farmers can't compete with the cheaper, less welfare friendly systems run by our foreign competitors." This seems to be a classic example of what happens when you apply well meaning rules unilaterally - our domestic industry is exported in favour of foreign competitors where our high standards of welfare and environmental care can be ignored. Own Goal!

Friday, 23
Farming and conservation

I was alerted to an article "Poppies return to make a red and pleasant land" in the Daily Mail. It was good to see but a shame that the article continued to propogate the myth that "organic is better" by suggesting that the wildflowers were on the return because of organic farming. Last night I walked 250 metres from my farm-yard to observe, rough poppy, prickly poppy, common poppy, cornflower, corn marigold and corn chamomile. Like the orchids in my previous blog I manage these specifically for conservation amongst my "conventionally farmed" arable fields and as such their biodiversity is way ahead of any organic system. Like many "conventional farmers" I am nuturing habitats for specific conservation gain and not farming them at all.

Tuesday, 20
A Morning Wander

I took the opportunity of a bright Saturday morning to wander over a nearby field. Under the previous management the field had been ploughed after many years of permanent pasture. The resultant arable crops were poor and when we took over we reverted the field to grass. For the first few years there was nothing but rank growth but with a regime of topping and grazing the biodiversity improved. A decade ago I counted 7 common spotted orchids in one corner. On Saturday I guessed their numbers in thousands with numerous pyramid orchid emerging. The field is typical of the kind of conservation work that exists on farms up and down the country and about which, far too few people hear.

Thursday, 15
Defra's Whole Farm Approach

I've received a letter from Defra encouraging me to sign up to the Whole Farm Approach. In exchange for completing a detailed online form about myself and my business, Defra are promising to reduce the number of other forms I have to complete. It all sounds worthy enough. On the back of the letter in small print is the Whole Farm Approach Data Protection Statement. Its worth detailing it in full, but for those of you with little time drop to the bottom of this article for my interpretation. "Defra may share any information, including personal data, that you provide through the Whole Farm Approach (WFA) with the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency, the Food Standards Agency, English Heritage and Local Authorities. The organisations with which Defra will share data are hereafter referred to as "partners".

Any changes to the list will be notified via the WFA. Defra including Defra's Executive Agencies, and the partners may use the information, including personal data, for the exercise of their functions in connection with the following purposes: - administration of the Common Agricultural Policy, England Rural Development Plan (ERDP) and other aid schemes; - the production and safety of food; - the management of land and other environmental controls; - animal health and welfare; - occupational health and welfare; and - research and statistical analysis carried out on behalf of Defra and its partners.

Defra and its partners may be required to release information, including personal data and commercial information, on request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 or the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Food Standards Agency may also publish information under the Food Standards Act 1999. However, Defra and its partners will not permit any unwarranted breach of confidentiality nor will they act in contravention of their obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998." Wow - so my business and private data really will be secure! Which leads me to ask, who in their right mind is going to sign up to this scheme with its Orwellian undertones and just what are the NFU up to in welcoming this?