Risk management, harnessing technology and green fuels of the future will be among the themes debated by farmers next week with NFU deputy president Peter Kendall.
Mr Kendall will identify the risks that UK farmers face and set out what the NFU is doing to help the arable industry at meetings in Kent and Berkshire next week. He will give an overview of the NFU's lobbying campaign asking Government to implement a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to source 5.75% of road transport fuel from renewable sources by 2010, in line with EU targets.
The meetings take place at the Weald of Kent Golf Club near Headcorn on November 15 and at Newbury Rugby Club on November 16. They will be chaired by Laurence Matthews of Dorking, Surrey, chairman of NFU South East's combinable crops board.
Mr Matthews says: "All farmers are experiencing a period of upheaval and as they trade in an increasingly competitive global market, they're seeking pointers to inform future business decisions. These meetings are timely given the reform of Common Agricultural Policy in 2005. We hope that after attending, farmers will be enthused to work together more closely, pool resources and exploit new market opportunities such as biofuel production."
Also taking to the stage will be a representative of the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), who will outline the effect that a drop in plantings could have on the global market for cereals. The HGCA will also flag up its new online "farm income monitor" tool. This is a web-based ready reckoner that allows farmer to monitor potential farm income based on standard industry costs and latest market prices. Rob Sanderson and Steve Harrison of Grainfarmers, the UK's leading farmer-controlled business, will highlight the demands for quality from end users and outline how co-operative grain storage operations can help.
Rounding off the debates will be the NFU's non food crops adviser, Matthew Ware. He says: "Agriculture can make a real contribution to the battle to halt climate change and biofuels offer a proven and cost-effective solution to the problem of diminishing fossil fuel resources. It makes sense to adopt biofuels to tackle CO2 emissions from transport and make targeted green house gas (GHG) savings."
BIODIESEL AT THE PUMP?
Mr Ware will be joined by Kent farmer Andrew Martin, of Romney Marsh Farms. Mr Martin has a £20,000 SEEDA/Defra grant for his feasibility study to probe the possibility of on-farm biofuel production. Mr Martin, a member of the NFU and Tenant Farmers' Association, believes there is a huge potential for farmers to produce biodiesel (from oilseed rape), for a pump price of 85 pence per litre.
The UK's annual surplus of cereals could be converted into bioethanol (from wheat), adding value to UK cereal production, providing extra employment and helping the UK to meet the EU target to source 2% of transport fuels from renewables by the end of 2005. The by-products from the production of biodiesel and bioethanol provide quality, high energy feed for animals.
For details / to confirm attendance, contact Sandra Nichols, NFU South East senior policy adviser on: 07778 240965. NFU non food crops adviser Matt Ware is on tel: 07974 183455
