It cannot be said that the last 10 years of the Tony Blair government has contributed greatly to Britain’s farming good.
Fortunately, we in horticulture have invariably had to fend for ourselves and just as well, as Blair has had little interest in home food production. But times may be changing.
A stark assessment comes from an NFU booklet, ‘Why Farming Matters’, which covers the Blair period. And before any sceptics shout ‘fixed’, consider this quote from the booklet, whose facts and figures come from Defra:
‘Farm gate prices from 1999 to 2006 have decreased by 18 percent, whereas retail prices have increased by 12 percent over the same period.’ Source: Defra, Office for National Statistics and NFU calculations.
It is in general agriculture where the major decisions from the modernisation of the Common Agricultural Policy have had most effect.
In horticulture, as the fresh produce, plants and flowers industry, we have been left largely alone (without production subsidies). But still there has been decline on almost all fronts.
The biggest effect in our industry by the Blair government has been the importance placed on healthy eating for children. This was a vital change in strategy, in view of the growing concerns on obesity among the community and especially the young.
The Red Tractor campaign was a plus for Blair and this has been recognised by the supermarkets.
But it was the dismal delayed payment performance of the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) that destroyed any trust producers had in their government’s efficiency under Blair.
Despite this appalling performance, Blair then added insult to injury by promoting the senior minister in this Defra debacle, Margaret Beckett, to the elevated crown jewel position of Foreign Secretary.
But we cannot blame everything on Blair or his ministers. It has to be said that as part of the collection of European nations and in an increasingly global world, more of any negative changes affecting agricultural Britain have to be laid at the EU feet.
Horticulture particularly has traded in a global market without production subsidies throughout its recent history.
Trade competition through increased globalisation means that outside government factors play an important role. An example occurred last week when there was dismay from producers over Asda proclaiming its commitment to cheaper consumer prices in the long term. No mention was paid as to what effect this would have on suppliers.
Belonging to the European Union - does this mean we are no longer solely in charge of our own destiny? This cannot be all Blair’s fault. But has he given too much away? Many think so.
Most growers say it has been the inability to control the worst excesses of the supermarkets under the Blair regimethat has annoyed and even angered them most.
Our industry probably above all has had to accept that as a trading nation it means that we accept imports as part of our trading life. But how much have we really been ignored in our industry since he came in?
When Tony Blair became Prime Minister he took little interest in growers and farmers. Many say that from early on, he blamed the farming industry for the massive financial expense the government had to pay out on BSE and the Foot and Mouth epidemic.
When he did take an interest in rural affairs, it was the environment, not rural poverty, loss of the village shop, post offices, pubs and poor rural infrastructure where his government placed their efforts.
Of course, there had to be a change of direction to move to eco-friendly systems of food production, but there are those in our industry who say the concentration on the environment has gone too far.
If the environment is so important - and it is - then does it not deserve its own single department? We in agriculture derive little benefit under the Blair government of a cabinet ranking department. Defra Secretary David Miliband is now called the ‘Environment’ Minister anyway, so the priority has already been recognised.
Tony Blair was fortunate that he had a massive ally in the ever growing supermarkets. The attitude was that if this country’s farming industry does not like the prices it is receiving, the supermarkets can easily go abroad and at least keep producer prices down and retail prices low for the all important consumer lobby. After all, we are an urban nation.
So despite the fact that Defra was only formed in 2001, it could be said the rural and food producing industries would be better off on their own. After all ‘transport’ has no cabinet place, but it certainly has a massive lobby in government.
But what will happen to food production with less and less R&D should we ever need to grow our own food again? Has Tony Blair been blind to the surge towards local and regional food production, not just because of ‘carbon footprints’, but because more consumers want fresher foods produced closer to them. And so they know where the food comes from and ask the grower how the crops were produced.
Under the Blair regime we lost any reference to ‘agriculture or fisheries’. The title of Defra (Department for Environment,Food and Rural Affairs) has no mention of agriculture, forestry or even fisheries. In contrast our EC partners have largely retained theirfarming reference.
But what will happen to food production should we ever need it badly again and when climate change seriously takes hold?
In fact, under urban Blair, it was increasingly being asked why we needed a home food producing industry at all? After all, the supermarkets can trade from abroad at the sending of an email message.
Blair kept out of the fox hunting debate and farming hit what seemed like anall time low, buthorticulture continued to survive the worst periods.
Have the townies finally taken over under Blair? Note quite. We have had a great deal of money, forrural investment has come from the City.
Decline in production has continued and prices still slide, though there is some evidence the corner has turned in the top fruit and other sectors of the industry. But is there some hope that fresh produce prices will rise under the new Brown government, when China really begins to influence the market? We shall see.
Blair has redeemed himself with the appointment of David Miliband and Lord Jeff Rooker in the last year, but they will probably go before we know it and the merry-go-round will start again.
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