Feed crisis is a ‘wake-up call’ says union leader
The serious knock-on consequences of one of the hottest, driest spells for a generation on every sector of farming should act as a “wake-up call” to politicians and policy makers about the importance of British food production – and the critical need to manage the volatility that comes with it.
The considerable costs of the recent hot dry spell following on from a long winter were spelled out yesterday at two emergency summit meetings between farming bodies, government officials and industry organisations.
North of the Border, NFU Scotland co-ordinated a meeting to discuss growing concerns over the feed and fodder situation as the industry prepared to enter a hungry winter.
Union vice-president Martin Kennedy said it was “hugely worthwhile” pulling in key stakeholders as the industry worked to identify short-term solutions to help address the serious shortfall in feed and fodder that is emerging.
“There is no silver bullet, but farmers can be reassured that help and advice is available from several of those round the table today,” said Kennedy.
As well as encourage the baling of more straw, early
payment of support dues and a relaxation of EU rules on greening and fallow requirements to allow these to be used for fodder, there was also a request for the UK government to consider the long-term impact on animal feed supplies of the current renewable energy incentives.
A call was also made for a temporary halt to the use of fodder crops and distillery by-products in anaerobic digestors, with the government asked to continue paying Renewable Heat Incentive revenues to anaerobic digestion plants which voluntarily cut production and diverted these stocks to animal feed.
Organisations attending the meeting included Scottish Government; Scottish Beef Association; Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board; Scottish Agricultural Organisation
Society; Scottish Machinery Ring Association; Scotland’s rural charity RSABI; Scottish Dairy Hub; Maltsters Association of Great Britain; Agricultural Industries Confederation; NSA Scotland; Scotch Whisky Association; SAC Consulting and Quality Meat Scotland.
The summit south of the Border was organised by the English NFU and attended by the Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove.
As well as stressing the importance of measures to ensure viable food production, the meeting also heard farming charities point out that on top of the financial ramifications, the relentless pressure on farmers was leading to concerns about their mental and physical well-being.