Originally from: Susan Staunton
                        

Subject: FOE.PRESS.RELEASE: FOE CALLS FOR LONG-TERM AID FOR SUSTAINABLE
FARMING

Web version:
http://www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/infoteam/pressrel/2001/20011018152609.html

Immediate Release: Thursday 18 October 2001

FOE CALLS FOR LONG-TERM AID FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's recommendations by Lord
Haskins for short term support for farmers and small businesses
hit by the Foot and Mouth Crisis. But FOE is disappointed by Lord
Haskin's suggestion that farmers should not expect long term
support. FOE is calling for a radical new agricultural policy
which rewards farmers for good stewardship of the land, protection
of wildlife and contributions to the local economy.

FOE also warned that many farmers now being offered short-term
help won't survive if the Government remains committed to further
trade liberalisation. UK farmers trying to produce food that
meets high environmental and welfare standards face being squeezed
out by cheaper, lower quality produce from abroad. Only large
intensive farms would be able to compete. If farmers are to have
a future in the UK they must also be protected from the worst
practices of supermarkets, identified by the Competition
Commission last year.

FOE is urging the Government to act on Lord Haskins recommendation
that local food initiatives should be supported. Local food
initiatives keep more money in the local economy, create jobs for
rural areas and give a better deal to farmers and consumers. FOE
agrees that farmers should enter into co-operative ventures and
wants to see more support from the Regional Development Agencies
to enable them to do so. Farmers cannot enter into collaborative
marketing initiatives unless the right infrastructure is in place.
For example the loss of small abbattoirs is a major barrier to
more local marketing of meat.

Sandra Bell, Real Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"We welcome short term financial help for farmers and businesses
hit by the Foot and Mouth Crisis. However, farmers also need long
term support to enable them to deliver environmental and social
benefits, and produce high quality food in the face of competition
in the global market place. We welcome Lord Haskins
recommendation that local food initiatives should be supported.
But farmers and small businesses also need protection in law from
the bullying behaviour of the big supermarkets. Otherwise only
the biggest, most intensive farmers may survive. This would have
disastrous consequences for our food, our countryside and our
wildlife"