Speech by Meurig Raymond at Dairy Summit 11th July 2012 I must start by thanking you all for coming, thanking you for giving up a day, managing your business so you can get away or getting someone else to do the milking. But I know most of you had no choice but to come today – because if you didn’t get on that bus or catch that train…  in 5, 10 or 20 years’ time you might just look back and say:  I wonder if we could have made a difference if we’d stood up and said “enough is enough?”  This is the final straw. The benefits of herbicide resistance testing Herbicide-resistant weeds are widespread in the UK but usually develop on individual fields as a consequence of the specific weed control programme used. Resistance tests are a valuable management tool and this leaflet aims to identify when a test might be appropriate and to ensure sample collection, testing and interpretation are done correctly. Forestry Report On 4 July 2012 the Independent Panel on Forestry published its Final Report which is available to download here: The Panel’s chair, the Right Reverend Bishop James Jones said: “The Panel’s work over the last year has shown that our woodlands, managed sustainably, can offer solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing society today. We have consulted widely, visited woods and forests around the country and read over 42,000 submissions. There is untapped potential within England’s woodlands to create jobs, to sustain skills and livelihoods, to improve the health and wellbeing of people and to provide better and more connected places for nature. Government investment is now needed to kick start these changes which will repay itself many times over in terms of public benefit” The report calls for England’s woods and forests to be re-valued for all the benefits they provide. These include areas for recreation, clean air, clean water, and habitats for wildlife. They also lock up carbon, provide shade and can help reduce flooding. Wood is the raw material for timber frame buildings, furniture, flooring, fuel, and of course paper. The report calls for a revival of a woodland culture that appreciates how important trees are for people, for nature and the economy. The report also makes clear that the Panel believes the public forest estate is a national asset, which should remain in public ownership. The Panel recommends an evolution of the Forestry Commission. The new organisations should have greater financial freedoms and investment to generate even greater benefits for people, nature and the economy. From Field to Fork A major new national report finds that despite their critical importance to the health of our high streets, local economies and much loved landscapes, local food networks are under-recognised and poorly supported. Key local food facts This pdf explains the economies of local food and how this affects businesses in the UK. Local Food Maps The CPRE interactive map showing the National Survey Locations & Main Links in Local Supply Chains CPRE Case Studies A pdf file showing case studies from farmers around the Uk how local food has impacted on their businesses. 2012 Red Tractor Labelling Audit The 2012 Red Tractor Labelling Audit. How the red tractor is used on-pack 2011 Red Tractor Labelling Audit How the red tractor labelling was used on pack in 2011 What Next for UK Poultry? Despite operating in one of the highest value-add markets in the EU, the UK poultry industry is suffering as a result of high feed prices, limited volume growth and oversupply