Storm Noa was aptly named! The wind and rain stopped me making some of my planned visits before the parliamentary term begins after the Easter recess, but I am pleased to say that, I was able to visit Forest Funghi in Dawlish Warren. A totally amazing gem of a business producing the most wonderful variety of exotic mushrooms serving all the top restaurants in Devon. A huge amount of care goes into getting the right micro-climate – each variety requires something different. Its store, restaurant, and guided tours will open your eyes – they did mine!
Food and farming is a bedrock of our economy and environment, generating £112 billion a year and helping shape some of our finest habitats and landscapes. The South West play a big part in this. Boosting farming productivity will bolster the rural economy driving economic growth and delivering food security which is so important. Devon is particularly well blessed with a large and innovative farming community that are continually improving the quality of our land – and our food.
Now that we are outside of the European Union, the UK is free from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which did little to deliver for farmers, farming, or the environment. Replacing the CAP system was something farmers consistently called for when we left the EU, and the government’s new approach through Environmental Land Management programmes, or ELMs as they are commonly referred to, has been largely welcomed – but there is still much to be done. This new scheme has a strong focus on the environmental aspects of farming and land management, whilst also promoting a sustainable and productive farming sector.
We are now living in a world of higher food prices and greater global food insecurity. Getting the scheme right has never been more important. But the detail is not yet available. That must be fast tracked to allow farmers to plan future crop rotations and ensure the long-term health of their businesses. The government needs to work with the industry, across a range of different issues - from agreeing fair payment rates, to how the IT systems can be best delivered to make the new programme as efficient as possible and avoid the pitfalls of the EU CAP system. We have yet to see any impact assessments for the new scheme. Measurable standards have yet to be published against which the environmental benefits and farming outcomes can be assessed. The stability of the sector will be hard to maintain as it transitions to the new system without the new rules being finalised.
But all this has to be seen in its wider context. Rising costs in energy, fertilisers, and a severe outbreak of Avian Influenza have already dealt a huge blow to the security of the sector. What the sector needs now is a clear plan, incentives to invest and solutions to the most pressing problems. By way of example, poultry cannot be caged forever to prevent the spread of Avian flu, and it is very welcome news that the mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds are ending this week on the 18th April.
Traditions matter and I was very privileged on Saturday to be part of a tradition in Newton Abbot going back well over 100 years at the Newton Abbot Bowls Club. Each year on the first day of the season an honoured guest is invited to throw the first “wood”. This year I had the pleasure of doing just that. The sun shone and the green looked splendid as I grasped the bowling ball, the wood as it’s called, - and threw! Too much bounce and not enough roll! With more than a hundred members, very successful ladies and mens teams, the club is going from strength to strength. And its not just about sport but community and life-long friendships – and they really matter.
As always, if you would like to book a surgery appointment (in-person or virtual) or raise a specific issue, please call my office on 01626 368277 or email annemarie.morris.mp@parliament.uk to arrange an appointment.