AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production

[DrWazzock]

The fact is there is no subsidy for production to standards higher than imports. In fact there’s no subsidy for production at all. Now there’s that much less payment for enviro features. That’s all that’s changed. There’s still no subsidy for production unless you believe that soil tests and arable legume fallows are going to seriously boost output over and above the deficit they’ve caused by using croppable area.
What do AIC think people who can’t make cropping stack up on poorer land are going to do? Grow crops for fun using their own savings?

 

[DrWazzock]

The whole thing is somewhat of a mess but still usable. I might have a dabble but I can see it bogging down in complexity and not enough staff to deal with that.

 

[David.]

A quick look at this suggests that the application we are considering will not be much affected.
But then, I was not counting on sacking the men, and going on a 3 yr sabbatical to "find myself" in Marrakesh or Tibet..

 

[farmerm]

How much money have they wasted on SFI ?

A few months ago they were worried that not enough farmers were taking up SFI............... then raised the payments that made it attrative............ to then realise that too many farmers were taking all their land out of production !!

The UK is only 60% self sufficient in food................even I know we should be producing more food, not less ! How come the 'intelligent' ones running the country, all with degrees, can't see that!

I doubt there is a MP within the whole of parliament that believes the UK needs to be any more than 60% self sufficient in food or even 40%. The probability of the UK being entirely cut of from global food supplies is negligible. All widely accepted economic analysis indicates the greater economic benefits come from cheap food imports over encouraging greater domestic food production. As producers we may not like it but these are the facts the educated see when they look at the numbers. The 25% limitation knee jerk this week by those in power is not because they see "too many farmers taking land out of production" as being a food security issue but rather they are terrified of further politically damaging newspaper headlines in an election year!

 

[texelburger]

AIC , what is the basis for their power and influence?
Another self appointed elite?

Yes and who are they accountable to. They weren't very flexible with the non assured,non traceable imported wheat entering our mills of which uk farmers who aren't members of RT are denied access.

 

[Steevo]

All widely accepted economic analysis indicates the greater economic benefits come from cheap food imports over encouraging greater domestic food production.

Imagine if they could have both....!


Though to be honest they would probably see that as "worse" economic benefits, and obviously not like the relinquishing of control.