 |
Farming Matters ! |
 |
Facts about Farms | ||
February 2003Some better news on Farm IncomesGovernment figures for 2002 show a larger than expected increase in farm incomes which rose by 15%. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has estimated total farm income in Britain in 2002 to be £2.36 billion compared with £2.07 billion in the previous 12 months. There is now a hope that, with promised reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy there is a possibility of a future for the industry. A close scrutiny of the figures however, show that there is still some way to go. Incomes have risen from a very low base of £9,400 per head to £11,100. Taking into account the fact that most self-employed farmers work a seven day week, it means that many are still earning some 12% below the minimum wage. (£30 per day compared to the minimum of £33.60).
Lord Whitty, commenting on the figures, acknowledges that they partly reflect the diversification by farmers into other areas. It would be interesting to have a breakdown of farm incomes into their constituent parts. In the seven counties of the ‘South West region’ some 20,000 farmers and 66,000 people still depend on farming for their livelihoods. Couple this with the importance of farming for the landscape, environment and tourism and the need for a vibrant strong and thriving agricultural sector is obvious. Defra please note! Some more bad news on mobile slaughteringFor farmers to sell their meat to customers, including at the now popular ‘Farmers’ Markets’ means having livestock slaughtered and dressed in a licensed abattoir. Sadly the smaller ones are coming under increasing pressure from a plethora of regulations. The need to truck animals for many miles, with all the stress and trauma that involves is becoming increasingly common.( I note that there has been a deafening silence from ‘Compassion in World Farming’ and other welfare groups on this issue!) However, until recently, meat for home consumption could be killed and dressed by a travelling slaughterman without the need to transport the live animal. Now the Food Standards Agency has declared this humane practice both illegal and unhealthy! As the law now stands, it seems that it is possible for the owner to kill and dress their own animal for home consumption. I am not sure that I have the necessary skills to do that. The days when the village scalding tub was borrowed, the local pig slaughterman sent for, and home made sausages, sweet-breads, crackling etc. enjoyed by the whole community are long gone. Sadly the piggery at the bottom of the my Rectory garden will have to stay empty. TWB Feb 2003
| ||
January 2003Milk The milk price is creeping up towards the E.U. recommended price of 20+ pence per litre. The average price received however is still between 17.00 and 19.00 pence per litre depending on the company and area, with some being even lower! Organic producers receive a premium for milk sold as organic. Their surplus production however is bought at standard milk prices. With processing becoming more centralised this is becoming more common. (See 'Food for Thought'). Livestock Markets Planners in Gloucestershire however have refused to pass plans for a new livestock market and agricultural centre. This is causing concern as Cirencester Market is due to close next year. Elgin market has closed and other livestock markets continue to be near closure as do some abattoirs. This impacts directly on animal welfare (distances travelled) as well as on farm gate prices. In addition new regulations proposed for abattoirs are again causing concern which could reflect across the industry and further into the retail and catering sectors. The figures shown in the NFU food price campaign confirm that the farmer only receives some 28% overall from a wide range of produce. TWB - January 03 | ||
| Main index |
Facts and Figures; - updated monthly | Farming Matters! |