Who deserves our votes.

[BrianV]

Seems to me that for far too long the Tories have taken the country vote for granted, with their handling & false promises regarding safe guarding the Single Farm Payments it is becoming increasingly clear it is time to give them a wake up call & show them that nothing & no one's vote can be taken for granted.
We in England will be competing with other countries that take their farming communities far more seriously & in time it appears we will not be able to compete, for all Boris's talk of ring fencing the SFP it is becoming clear that it is yet another complete lie as a large percentage of that ring fenced money will simply be used for anything & everything that is of no actual financial benefit to traditional farmers.
Can I suggest that when you are next voting in May you seriously consider independent candidates rather than the same old stale parties, if you don't then you won't be at all surprised when over the next few years your income seriously plummets.

 

[Ashtree]

Seems to me that for far too long the Tories have taken the country vote for granted, with their handling & false promises regarding safe guarding the Single Farm Payments it is becoming increasingly clear it is time to give them a wake up call & show them that nothing & no one's vote can be taken for granted.
We in England will be competing with other countries that take their farming communities far more seriously & in time it appears we will not be able to compete, for all Boris's talk of ring fencing the SFP it is becoming clear that it is yet another complete lie as a large percentage of that ring fenced money will simply be used for anything & everything that is of no actual financial benefit to traditional farmers.
Can I suggest that when you are next voting in May you seriously consider independent candidates rather than the same old stale parties, if you don't then you won't be at all surprised when over the next few years your income seriously plummets.

Vote Nigel, he knows what to do....

 

[Hindsight]

Vote Nigel, he knows what to do....

Thought we did 'de facto'?

 

[Hindsight]

Thought we did 'de facto'?

Read Parris article in todays The Times - posted it up on the other thread - Honkers. Says it all in an eloquent, cogent piece of writing.

 

[pgk]

Seems to me that for far too long the Tories have taken the country vote for granted, with their handling & false promises regarding safe guarding the Single Farm Payments it is becoming increasingly clear it is time to give them a wake up call & show them that nothing & no one's vote can be taken for granted.
We in England will be competing with other countries that take their farming communities far more seriously & in time it appears we will not be able to compete, for all Boris's talk of ring fencing the SFP it is becoming clear that it is yet another complete lie as a large percentage of that ring fenced money will simply be used for anything & everything that is of no actual financial benefit to traditional farmers.
Can I suggest that when you are next voting in May you seriously consider independent candidates rather than the same old stale parties, if you don't then you won't be at all surprised when over the next few years your income seriously plummets.

Very difficult to know who to vote for, conservatives cheating lying b's, labour diluted conservatives, libdem blotted their copy book putting conservatives into power, greens? I am at a loss

 

[delilah]

greens?

This.
The party of the environment, and therefore the party of agriculture.

 

[pgk]

This.
The party of the environment, and therefore the party of agriculture.

When I read some of their policies they dont seem very farming friendly.

 

[delilah]

When I read some of their policies they dont seem very farming friendly.

Write your manifesto for UK ag, and then compare it with the policies of the parties standing, I reckon the GP will come closest.

 

[BrianV]

Write your manifesto for UK ag, and then compare it with the policies of the parties standing, I reckon the GP will come closest.

With local elections you may be able to vote for a plausible independent candidate if there is one, it would be really nice to be able to give all the main parties including the greens a wake up call.
I'm sure parliament would be a far better place if it was made up of a large section of independent MPs rather than stuffed to the gills with useless party bag carriers!

 

[Strungup52]

This.
The party of the environment, and therefore the party of agriculture.

Greens the party of the environment?
The party of cuddly bunnies, free range beavers and lettuce. Banning fossil fuels and promoting organic agriculture as a way to keep us all warm and fed. I also think they have this peculiar notion that their version of communism will work cos it will be done right.
I will be really glad when someone from agriculture takes a well informed keyboard axe to these trendy, totally impractical, urban greeny type politicians and excrement stirrers who reckon they know how to run the world. At least my head won’t still be aching when these idiots get the keys to the asylum, although the way Puppet Biden is going it might be a close run thing.

 

[delilah]

Greens the party of the environment?
The party of cuddly bunnies, free range beavers and lettuce. Banning fossil fuels and promoting organic agriculture as a way to keep us all warm and fed. I also think they have this peculiar notion that their version of communism will work cos it will be done right.
I will be really glad when someone from agriculture takes a well informed keyboard axe to these trendy, totally impractical, urban greeny type politicians and excrement stirrers who reckon they know how to run the world. At least my head won’t still be aching when these idiots get the keys to the asylum, although the way Puppet Biden is going it might be a close run thing.

Which bit of the below policy do you see as a threat to your business ?
What does your party of choice do to get your outputs into state sector meals at a fair price to you ?

Public Sector Procurement
FA220 The Government spends £2 billion each year providing food for the public sector. Decisions made by the Government can drive the food industry towards better practices and promotion of healthy, sustainable food.

FA221 The Green Party will introduce mandatory standards for food served in the public sector, set out in a Code for Sustainable Food.

This Code will be managed and developed by a committee of expert stakeholders including representation from consumer groups. They would be responsible for responding to emerging research on the health, social and environmental effects of food production and consumption, and developing, implementing and enforcing the Code. As a minimum the code would encompass the following:

(a) extensive use of local and regional produce to support rural communities and reduce food miles;

(b) clear, unambiguous nutrition standards, to ensure that food purchased and prepared by public organisations is healthier and suits the nutritional requirements of the people in their care;

(c) strict ethical criteria including animal welfare and the use of Fairtrade products.

FA222 Healthy vegetarian and vegan options and options for people on restricted diets and religious diets will be provided in all public sector establishments.

FA223 Public sector caterers will be provided with guidance on adopting the Code for Sustainable Food and on providing food for specific dietary needs. There would be a budget to allow caterers to be trained in these areas.

 

[BrianV]

Which bit of the below policy do you see as a threat to your business ?
What does your party of choice do to get your outputs into state sector meals at a fair price to you ?

Public Sector Procurement
FA220 The Government spends £2 billion each year providing food for the public sector. Decisions made by the Government can drive the food industry towards better practices and promotion of healthy, sustainable food.

FA221 The Green Party will introduce mandatory standards for food served in the public sector, set out in a Code for Sustainable Food.

This Code will be managed and developed by a committee of expert stakeholders including representation from consumer groups. They would be responsible for responding to emerging research on the health, social and environmental effects of food production and consumption, and developing, implementing and enforcing the Code. As a minimum the code would encompass the following:

(a) extensive use of local and regional produce to support rural communities and reduce food miles;

(b) clear, unambiguous nutrition standards, to ensure that food purchased and prepared by public organisations is healthier and suits the nutritional requirements of the people in their care;

(c) strict ethical criteria including animal welfare and the use of Fairtrade products.

FA222 Healthy vegetarian and vegan options and options for people on restricted diets and religious diets will be provided in all public sector establishments.

FA223 Public sector caterers will be provided with guidance on adopting the Code for Sustainable Food and on providing food for specific dietary needs. There would be a budget to allow caterers to be trained in these areas.

If these were their only policies with out sub plots they might just be in with a chance of an occasional farming vote, unfortunately it's the 95% not mentioned that kills their chances

 

[delilah]

If these were their only policies with out sub plots they might just be in with a chance of an occasional farming vote, unfortunately it's the 95% not mentioned that kills their chances

This bit ?
Bad for your business ?

Food Supply: Food Security and Food Markets
Introduction

FA400 Agriculture has made huge strides in recent decades in supporting a growing world population. Yet many people still go hungry, food is not distributed to the people who need it most, rural livelihoods are being lost and the prospects for future food security look bleak.

FA401 The Green Party believes that globalisation of the food supply has exacerbated many environmental and social problems and that answers lie in sustainable agriculture, re-localisation, shortening of food supply chains and self-reliance on a regional and local basis. We must reform markets to support farmers and rural livelihoods, to reduce any negative impacts of food production and distribution, and to ensure food security for future generations.

 

[delilah]

Or maybe it is this bit that threatens your business ?
Reads to me like a summary of much that is said on here.

Sustainable Farming
Background

FA610 Sustainable farming systems and practices:

(a) protect and enhance soil, including its structure, organic matter, fertility and soil life;

(b) return organic wastes and residues to the soil and use sustainable methods such as green manures and leguminous intercrops to maintain fertility;

(c) minimise greenhouse gas emissions and promote carbon sequestration;

(d) conserve water resources;

(e) minimise or eliminate use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides and pollution of soil, air and water;

(f) support wildlife and biodiversity;

(g) are diverse in their resources, methods and outputs, increasing resilience to environmental and market ‘shocks’;

(h) supply healthy, safe and nutritious food;

(i) support farmers, rural employment and the rural economy;

(j) conserve and enhance farm landscapes and buildings and protect cultural and archaeological heritage;

(k) are appropriate to the local climate, soil, geography and food markets.

FA611 In contrast, industrialised farming systems and practices are not sustainable in that they tend to:

(a) destroy soil structure and lead to soil depletion, compaction and erosion through use of synthetic fertilisers, heavy machinery, over-stocking and from lack of soil cover;

(b) contribute to the climate emergency through the use of synthetic fertilisers, greater fossil fuel use and release of carbon in soils from continuous tillage;

(c) deplete groundwater resources;

(d) use arable crops rather than pasture for animal feed and risk pandemics through intensive animal rearing;

(e) risk pest and disease outbreaks and threaten food security through the use of large-scale monocultures;

(f) pollute soil, air and water and consequently threaten wildlife, water courses and groundwater through the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides and inappropriate disposal of organic wastes;

(g) cause harm to the health of farm workers, rural dwellers and consumers;

(h) operate in an unsustainable economic system as most of the environmental and social costs are ‘externalised’ and not included in current calculations of costs.

FA612 A range of agricultural systems and practices meet or aim to meet the above criteria for sustainability, including organic, stockfree organic, permaculture, agroecology, agroforestry and forest gardening.

FA613 Organic farming and growing are well-established in the UK, with reputable and recognised organisations, certification schemes and retail markets. Organic production aims for long-term sustainability and has a central role to play in the transformation towards sustainable agriculture and food security.

FA614 It is feasible to change agriculture from a net emitter of greenhouse gases to net sequestration through greater use of trees, permanent pasture and other perennial plants and by reducing fossil fuel inputs. Grass and other perennial plants, particularly trees, can sequester carbon from the atmosphere and prevent carbon loss from the soil by minimising tillage. (See also FA655)

FA615 Appropriate use of organic residues and wastes, manures, green manures and compost can maintain and enhance soil fertility and structure.

FA616 Species-rich permanent pastures have high value for biodiversity and soil conservation compared with ‘improved pasture’ dependent on synthetic fertiliser inputs which are associated with high greenhouse gas emissions.

FA617 The intensive raising of farm animals requires high inputs of fossil fuels, synthetic fertilisers and imported feeds and is therefore unsustainable. By comparison, well-managed pasture on mixed farms can promote soil, animal and human health.

FA618 Fruit and nut orchards produce health-giving foods and provide attractive landscapes but have been undervalued. Their value as wildlife habitats has now been recognised with their designation as a priority habitat within biodiversity action plans.

FA619 It has been shown that small, labour-intensive farms can produce more diverse and higher output per unit area than large, capital-intensive and fossil fuel dependent farms.

FA620 There is a growing demand for sustainably and locally produced food, held back by higher prices (compared to the artificially low price of produce from intensive agriculture based on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides), lack of availability and lack of information.

Policies

FA630 The Green Party will use subsidies, financial incentives, regulation, education, research and participation to support a transition towards more sustainable farming systems that foster long-term soil health, conserve water, reduce non-renewable inputs, minimise pollution and greenhouse gases, support habitats and greater biodiversity, enhance landscapes and cultural heritage and produce healthy and nutritious food. (See also CY523-7, FA521)

FA631 We will support a rapid increase in the proportion of land designated as organic, including stockfree organic, by giving financial help and advice to farmers making the transition to organic, increasing subsidies for organic farming and by funding the maintenance and promotion of organic standards.

FA632 We will encourage a reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers by supporting alternative methods of retaining soil fertility, such as green manures and appropriate recycling and composting of organic residues and wastes, including manure and treated sewage. We will support the safe recycling of food wastes as animal feed through reform of current legislation. (See also PL429)

FA633 The Green Party will impose a tax on the use of synthetic fertilisers. This tax would be progressively increased and the revenue used to support agricultural systems using alternative methods to retain soil fertility, such as organic farming and growing. We will press for such a tax to be applied across the EU.

FA634 To conserve soil and sequester carbon, the Green Party will support a shift towards farming systems based on perennial crops, including extensive grazing, permaculture, agroforestry, orchards and tree crops through targeted support and funding. We will support local nurseries for plants which are productive and beneficial to the environment and support local council schemes to distribute free or very low cost trees for householders.

FA635 For greater sustainability and the health and welfare of farm animals, we will encourage a shift towards extensive grazing on species-rich pastures, small-scale free-range units and mixed farms using organic techniques. We will encourage low stocking densities, based on research, and will set stocking limits for farms which receive agri-environment funding.

FA636 The Green Party will shift subsidies away from highly mechanised, fossil fuel-dependent agriculture towards low-input and low-impact agriculture. We will assist farmers in making a transition to more sustainable and more labour-intensive methods of production. We will use taxes, regulation and subsidies to discourage large land holdings, amalgamation of farms and the use of monocultures in agriculture and to support smaller farms and greater agricultural diversity. (See also CY522-3, EU542)

FA637 The Green Party would remove some of the tax rebate on red diesel (fuel for agricultural use) as a means to discourage fossil fuel use in agriculture. This would be done progressively so as not to impact on farmers and food prices in the short-term and we would support sustainable long-term alternatives to fossil fuel use.

FA638 The Green Party will ban the use of the most harmful substances used in the treatment of soil, crops and animals and support a progressive reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides which do not meet organic standards, through the promotion of benign forms of pest and disease management and maintenance of optimal soil, plant and animal health. (See also CY525)

FA639 We will introduce stringent regulations to protect wildlife, farm workers, rural dwellers and consumers from the effects of harmful substances used in farming. We will increase resources available to monitor water quality and farm spraying activities and will ensure better enforcement and higher penalties for any harm to human health and pollution of air, soil, watercourses and groundwater. (See also CY525, IN623, PL420, PL429)

FA640 The Green Party will fund research into:

(a) Lifecycle costs of different farming systems, including greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental and social impacts.

(b) Sustainable growing systems and methods, including organic, stockfree, agroecology, permaculture and agroforestry.

(c) Farming systems and strategies to maximise carbon sequestration.

(d) Development of small-scale, appropriate farm technology and machinery, and methods (such as conservation and evergreen agriculture) which do not harm the soil.

(e) Methods to safely return biodegradable organic waste, including sewage, to the soil.

(f) Breeding programmes for crops and farm animals, to improve sustainability, productivity, diversity and animal welfare;

(g) Sustainable and ethical methods to reduce methane emissions from farm animals.

FA641 To increase understanding of sustainable agriculture, the Green Party will:

(a) Include practical experience of growing and healthy nutrition in the curriculum of all schools (See also FA233-234).

(b) Support ‘eco-schools’ and school orchards and forest gardens.

(c) Encourage educational links between schools, farms and community food projects.

(d) In agricultural education and advice establishments, give immediate priority to sustainable production methods.

(e) Set up a network of research, advice and demonstration centres, based on existing farms, to provide extension services and outreach as well as on-site training.

(f) Give support and advice to those currently employed in intensive agriculture so that they can learn appropriate new skills.

 

[beardface]

Won't really matter who you vote for as it's Town dwellers that make up the majority.

 

[delilah]

I've shown you ours. Now show me yours.
Or is it the case that the Green Party has more comprehensive, thought through policies for agriculture than the other parties, because food production sits right at the heart of GP politics ?

 

[Strungup52]

Which bit of the below policy do you see as a threat to your business ?
What does your party of choice do to get your outputs into state sector meals at a fair price to you ?

Public Sector Procurement
FA220 The Government spends £2 billion each year providing food for the public sector. Decisions made by the Government can drive the food industry towards better practices and promotion of healthy, sustainable food.

FA221 The Green Party will introduce mandatory standards for food served in the public sector, set out in a Code for Sustainable Food.

This Code will be managed and developed by a committee of expert stakeholders including representation from consumer groups. They would be responsible for responding to emerging research on the health, social and environmental effects of food production and consumption, and developing, implementing and enforcing the Code. As a minimum the code would encompass the following:

(a) extensive use of local and regional produce to support rural communities and reduce food miles;

(b) clear, unambiguous nutrition standards, to ensure that food purchased and prepared by public organisations is healthier and suits the nutritional requirements of the people in their care;

(c) strict ethical criteria including animal welfare and the use of Fairtrade products.

FA222 Healthy vegetarian and vegan options and options for people on restricted diets and religious diets will be provided in all public sector establishments.

FA223 Public sector caterers will be provided with guidance on adopting the Code for Sustainable Food and on providing food for specific dietary needs. There would be a budget to allow caterers to be trained in these areas.

re FA 220. Get the government out of public sector food procurement. OK prisons and military establishments probably have to be government funded. Schools etc? Why? I remember my school meals provided by Educ Authority. Guess I shouldn’t complain too much I’m still alive.
re FA 221. A code for sustainable food. Good idea, then it rains. Lots. Or none. Or there’s a pest fancies a holiday in Britain from Europe. And the committee of expert stakeholders are on holiday in Tenerife and its Friday 4.00pm. Then one of the experts discovers somebody told a porkie, sorry, exaggerated the lettuce yield within 1/2 a mile. When did they introduce fairtrade to Britain, I must have been asleep on my half built hay rick.
re FA 222. Halal noshers - have you got them onside with vegan religious diets?
re FA 223. I’ve already sorted out the Public Sector caterers, the criminals can have bread and water as before - they’ll either wither away or be less keen for another holiday at Her Majesty’s pleasure. There, killed two birds with that one and surely to God you don’t have to spend money to train Public Sector caterers to serve bread and water?
I’ve just found out something else about potential Political Greens from these presumably manifesto proposals above - they would be even better than any of the current residents of certain green benches at spending other peoples money. I suppose it would, therefore, run out sooner and we could all try to get back to normal life - under an all powerful Tory party once again.
.

 

[BrianV]

Or maybe it is this bit that threatens your business ?
Reads to me like a summary of much that is said on here.

Sustainable Farming
Background

FA610 Sustainable farming systems and practices:

(a) protect and enhance soil, including its structure, organic matter, fertility and soil life;

(b) return organic wastes and residues to the soil and use sustainable methods such as green manures and leguminous intercrops to maintain fertility;

(c) minimise greenhouse gas emissions and promote carbon sequestration;

(d) conserve water resources;

(e) minimise or eliminate use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides and pollution of soil, air and water;

(f) support wildlife and biodiversity;

(g) are diverse in their resources, methods and outputs, increasing resilience to environmental and market ‘shocks’;

(h) supply healthy, safe and nutritious food;

(i) support farmers, rural employment and the rural economy;

(j) conserve and enhance farm landscapes and buildings and protect cultural and archaeological heritage;

(k) are appropriate to the local climate, soil, geography and food markets.

FA611 In contrast, industrialised farming systems and practices are not sustainable in that they tend to:

(a) destroy soil structure and lead to soil depletion, compaction and erosion through use of synthetic fertilisers, heavy machinery, over-stocking and from lack of soil cover;

(b) contribute to the climate emergency through the use of synthetic fertilisers, greater fossil fuel use and release of carbon in soils from continuous tillage;

(c) deplete groundwater resources;

(d) use arable crops rather than pasture for animal feed and risk pandemics through intensive animal rearing;

(e) risk pest and disease outbreaks and threaten food security through the use of large-scale monocultures;

(f) pollute soil, air and water and consequently threaten wildlife, water courses and groundwater through the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides and inappropriate disposal of organic wastes;

(g) cause harm to the health of farm workers, rural dwellers and consumers;

(h) operate in an unsustainable economic system as most of the environmental and social costs are ‘externalised’ and not included in current calculations of costs.

FA612 A range of agricultural systems and practices meet or aim to meet the above criteria for sustainability, including organic, stockfree organic, permaculture, agroecology, agroforestry and forest gardening.

FA613 Organic farming and growing are well-established in the UK, with reputable and recognised organisations, certification schemes and retail markets. Organic production aims for long-term sustainability and has a central role to play in the transformation towards sustainable agriculture and food security.

FA614 It is feasible to change agriculture from a net emitter of greenhouse gases to net sequestration through greater use of trees, permanent pasture and other perennial plants and by reducing fossil fuel inputs. Grass and other perennial plants, particularly trees, can sequester carbon from the atmosphere and prevent carbon loss from the soil by minimising tillage. (See also FA655)

FA615 Appropriate use of organic residues and wastes, manures, green manures and compost can maintain and enhance soil fertility and structure.

FA616 Species-rich permanent pastures have high value for biodiversity and soil conservation compared with ‘improved pasture’ dependent on synthetic fertiliser inputs which are associated with high greenhouse gas emissions.

FA617 The intensive raising of farm animals requires high inputs of fossil fuels, synthetic fertilisers and imported feeds and is therefore unsustainable. By comparison, well-managed pasture on mixed farms can promote soil, animal and human health.

FA618 Fruit and nut orchards produce health-giving foods and provide attractive landscapes but have been undervalued. Their value as wildlife habitats has now been recognised with their designation as a priority habitat within biodiversity action plans.

FA619 It has been shown that small, labour-intensive farms can produce more diverse and higher output per unit area than large, capital-intensive and fossil fuel dependent farms.

FA620 There is a growing demand for sustainably and locally produced food, held back by higher prices (compared to the artificially low price of produce from intensive agriculture based on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides), lack of availability and lack of information.

Policies

FA630 The Green Party will use subsidies, financial incentives, regulation, education, research and participation to support a transition towards more sustainable farming systems that foster long-term soil health, conserve water, reduce non-renewable inputs, minimise pollution and greenhouse gases, support habitats and greater biodiversity, enhance landscapes and cultural heritage and produce healthy and nutritious food. (See also CY523-7, FA521)

FA631 We will support a rapid increase in the proportion of land designated as organic, including stockfree organic, by giving financial help and advice to farmers making the transition to organic, increasing subsidies for organic farming and by funding the maintenance and promotion of organic standards.

FA632 We will encourage a reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers by supporting alternative methods of retaining soil fertility, such as green manures and appropriate recycling and composting of organic residues and wastes, including manure and treated sewage. We will support the safe recycling of food wastes as animal feed through reform of current legislation. (See also PL429)

FA633 The Green Party will impose a tax on the use of synthetic fertilisers. This tax would be progressively increased and the revenue used to support agricultural systems using alternative methods to retain soil fertility, such as organic farming and growing. We will press for such a tax to be applied across the EU.

FA634 To conserve soil and sequester carbon, the Green Party will support a shift towards farming systems based on perennial crops, including extensive grazing, permaculture, agroforestry, orchards and tree crops through targeted support and funding. We will support local nurseries for plants which are productive and beneficial to the environment and support local council schemes to distribute free or very low cost trees for householders.

FA635 For greater sustainability and the health and welfare of farm animals, we will encourage a shift towards extensive grazing on species-rich pastures, small-scale free-range units and mixed farms using organic techniques. We will encourage low stocking densities, based on research, and will set stocking limits for farms which receive agri-environment funding.

FA636 The Green Party will shift subsidies away from highly mechanised, fossil fuel-dependent agriculture towards low-input and low-impact agriculture. We will assist farmers in making a transition to more sustainable and more labour-intensive methods of production. We will use taxes, regulation and subsidies to discourage large land holdings, amalgamation of farms and the use of monocultures in agriculture and to support smaller farms and greater agricultural diversity. (See also CY522-3, EU542)

FA637 The Green Party would remove some of the tax rebate on red diesel (fuel for agricultural use) as a means to discourage fossil fuel use in agriculture. This would be done progressively so as not to impact on farmers and food prices in the short-term and we would support sustainable long-term alternatives to fossil fuel use.

FA638 The Green Party will ban the use of the most harmful substances used in the treatment of soil, crops and animals and support a progressive reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides which do not meet organic standards, through the promotion of benign forms of pest and disease management and maintenance of optimal soil, plant and animal health. (See also CY525)

FA639 We will introduce stringent regulations to protect wildlife, farm workers, rural dwellers and consumers from the effects of harmful substances used in farming. We will increase resources available to monitor water quality and farm spraying activities and will ensure better enforcement and higher penalties for any harm to human health and pollution of air, soil, watercourses and groundwater. (See also CY525, IN623, PL420, PL429)

FA640 The Green Party will fund research into:

(a) Lifecycle costs of different farming systems, including greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental and social impacts.

(b) Sustainable growing systems and methods, including organic, stockfree, agroecology, permaculture and agroforestry.

(c) Farming systems and strategies to maximise carbon sequestration.

(d) Development of small-scale, appropriate farm technology and machinery, and methods (such as conservation and evergreen agriculture) which do not harm the soil.

(e) Methods to safely return biodegradable organic waste, including sewage, to the soil.

(f) Breeding programmes for crops and farm animals, to improve sustainability, productivity, diversity and animal welfare;

(g) Sustainable and ethical methods to reduce methane emissions from farm animals.

FA641 To increase understanding of sustainable agriculture, the Green Party will:

(a) Include practical experience of growing and healthy nutrition in the curriculum of all schools (See also FA233-234).

(b) Support ‘eco-schools’ and school orchards and forest gardens.

(c) Encourage educational links between schools, farms and community food projects.

(d) In agricultural education and advice establishments, give immediate priority to sustainable production methods.

(e) Set up a network of research, advice and demonstration centres, based on existing farms, to provide extension services and outreach as well as on-site training.

(f) Give support and advice to those currently employed in intensive agriculture so that they can learn appropriate new skills.

Afraid you have lost many a vote right there!

 

[wanton dwarf]

I've shown you ours. Now show me yours.
Or is it the case that the Green Party has more comprehensive, thought through policies for agriculture than the other parties, because food production sits right at the heart of GP politics ?

No mention of imports being regulated.

Lots of regulation .. which doesn't apply to imports. It will be complete and utter annihilation of UK agriculture.

 

[wanton dwarf]

Can I suggest that when you are next voting in May you seriously consider independent candidates rather than the same old stale parties, if you don't then you won't be at all surprised when over the next few years your income seriously plummets.

You'd be better off infiltrating the Conservative Party instead just as the Liberals and Greens have.