Royal Show Grain Chain links food and farming

An ambitious and imaginative new feature at this year's Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park from June 29 to July 2, 2003, is set to be the biggest single outdoor exhibit ever mounted by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE).

The Grain Chain, which will cover four blocks next to the Grand Ring, close to the heart of the showground, is designed to:

· explain the process of the food chain;

· highlight the UK's most widely grown arable crop – cereals make up over 3 million hectares of the country's annual cropping;

· encourage the UK farming industry to interact with consumers as part of the Royal Show's overall 'Let's Talk' initiative;

· promote UK food production to the show's wider public audience.

Through a series of five themed displays, visitors will be taken along the chain and gain an understanding of production methods, factors that affect the success of the UK harvest, and products that are derived from the UK cereal crop - including a Royal Show beer that will be brewed specially for the event.

"Both farmers and consumers are part of the same food chain," says Glenn Wrigley, the RASE's arable specialist and Grain Chain organiser. "Our aim with this exhibit is to bring all sides together in an educational and entertaining way, so that the issues which affect us all can be simply demonstrated and understood.

"This initiative is particularly timely because of the Society's involvement with the Image of Agriculture project, which is also designed to improve the public's understanding of agriculture, horticulture and the countryside.

"With continuing public interest in the food sector, the countryside and the environment, and with food producers now working within ever tighter margins, we believe the Grain Chain will provide an ideal opportunity to put across a strong, positive message about UK food and farming. Furthermore, visitors will gain a better understanding of how their buying decisions can affect the global food market."

The Grain Chain will consist of five zones – Seed, Soil, Grow, Harvest and Product – featuring a variety of interactive and scientific displays, static machinery, educational features and other exhibits linked to the cereal food chain. These will include plant breeding and variety plots, cultivation equipment, a walk-through soil pit, pesticide use and the Voluntary Initiative, harvest machinery, weather forecasting, biofuels, flour grinding and breadmaking, and much more.

Support for the feature has already been provided by a number of machinery manufacturers, including CNH, John Deere, Simba and Vaderstad, as well as advisory and educational organisations such as Farming & Countryside Education (FACE), Harper Adams University College, Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), and NIAB.

"Many UK farming and countryside organisations are already involved in exciting and innovative consumer information and education initiatives," says Glenn Wrigley. "We believe the Royal Show Grain Chain feature will complement and build on these activities, and will provide an excellent focus for farmers and consumers on all the issues surrounding the food chain."