Public Knowledge

Ecological thinking allows for the development of a productive reading of responsibility, rooted neither in individualism nor in an implausible voluntarism; and attentive to the climatic conditions in which much scientific research in the 21st century takes place.

source:
www.oxfordscholarship.com


Oxford Farming Conference

The Oxford Farming Conference is a tradition and an institution. Now in its 61st year, it was originally set up to help farmers reeling from post-war austerity. Farmers were to find out about new-fangled farming - the intensive methods that ensured that we in Britain no longer worried about where our food was coming from, but which now are treated with suspicion by some sectors of the environmental and political classes.

Farming’s influence is widespread and touches our daily lives – through the food we eat and the landscape we all enjoy – both of which remain very important in their own right. It is no coincidence then that the decisions we take on much broader issues such as global trade and the EU budget have huge ramifications for farming – as we all saw before Christmas.

It is hard to overestimate the importance for British farming of the two agreements reached in Brussels and in Hong Kong last month. The review of the EU Budget will define the financing of the CAP after 2013, with possibly some impact beforehand. And export subsidies will no longer be available after 2013. Whilst the 2003 CAP reform defined the path of European agricultural policy for the period up to 2013, it is already now possible to contemplate the prospects for what might happen right through to 2020.

We need to be pro-active now in anticipating changes ahead so that we are in a position to influence the shape and direction of farming policy. We should be building the foundations for the kind of industry we want to see in 10 to 15 years time rather than sitting back and waiting for it to be shaped for us. First let us consider the single biggest influence on farming in this country – the CAP. There is no doubt that the CAP has already changed radically. The 2003 reforms were of huge significance, fundamentally altering the basis on which direct payments are made. The fact that farmers as an industry were strong advocates of reform was a massive factor in securing that historic deal two years ago.

Recently government published a paper setting out long term vision for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. The paper offers a vision of what we suggest European agriculture should be like in 10 to 15 years:
• internationally competitive;
• rewarded by the market for safe and good quality food and non-food products, and by the taxpayer only for public goods that the market cannot deliver;
• environmentally sensitive;
• responsive to the needs of rural communities;
• producing food to high levels of animal health and welfare;
• not distorting international trade; and
• operating on a free, fair and level playing field throughout the EU.

It is clear though that further reforms to the CAP will need to be phased in, with adequate time for the industry to prepare for change. Through the 2003 reforms we have already begun the transition from a subsidy dependent industry to one driven by the market. So my message to you today should be clear: the period of change in farming which has already begun will continue. To face this challenge successfully, a strong partnership between Government and industry is needed, building on the solid foundations which have already been laid.

The aim is to foster innovation in the products farmers create and assist in building greater market and consumer awareness; to encourage collaboration and co-operation to help reduce unnecessary costs; to identify inefficiencies in the food chain; to facilitate constructive debate to tackle sector-specific problems; and to ensure that skills needed are prepared to exploit new opportunities.

Commitment to these goals have been demonstrated by supporting the initiatives such as the Food Chain Centre, English Farming and Food Partnerships, the Red Meat, Cereals and Dairy Supply Chain Forum, Assured Food Standards, Fresh Start, our own Research Priorities Group, and Food From Britain. It is not underestimated the huge business change agenda facing farming, and while many farmers are already embracing the opportunity to develop their businesses in new ways, some have a good deal further to go and will need support through the changes ahead.

As in other sectors of the economy, high and rising standards of environmental performance are not an optional extra but a necessity. The countryside that we see today, and that we all value so highly, has been shaped by farming practices over generations. That is why I believe that public money should reward farmers for the landscape and environmental benefits they can provide.

our approach on soils has to been to empower farmers to produce a simple plan rather than set many demanding standards. We anticipate that this will place you in a better position to deal with future challenges such as tackling diffuse water pollution – although pressure to meet demanding targets of the Water Framework Directive will mean that further action may be required, and we plan to consult further on this in next 12 months.

We have worked hard to move the issue of climate change well up the UK and EU agricultural policy agendas. The EU Joint Informal Meeting of Agriculture and Environment Councils, held in London this September, focussed on the relationship between climate change and agriculture and heard from top international scientists just how significant the implications of climate change are for agriculture. The UK is now working with the Commission and Member States to ensure that momentum and interest is continued beyond our Presidency.

I firmly believe there is a bright future for farming in this country – as both a producer of safe, quality food that our consumers want to buy, and because of the contribution farming makes to shaping, protecting and enhancing our natural environment. In short, an industry sustainable economically, and sustainable environmentally.

Source:
Lord Bach, The UK Strategy to Deliver a Sparkling Future

BBC online,Two Davids face the farming fraternity,6 Jan


A rare bird came into sight
For the first time in west Azarbaijan (Iran), a rare bird named “white tail gipsy rooster”of tropical nature together with its mate has appeared by the lake “Kanibrazan” where it is restricted area for hunting; Nature expert of local Environment Agency announced yesterday. White Tail Gipsy Rooster has 28 cm length, ochre colour legs, rear feathers in red with grey dots, sandy coloured head and front, with black beak and of course with white tail.

source: local newsagency