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 Global Problems
At this moment in time, our government, along with the leading countries in the western world are obsessed with global warming and the threats that it poses, and appear to be completely ignoring the more immediate threat to the whole of the world posed by a shortage of food. More land could be lost to global warming and rising sea levels. Wheat and rapeseed being used for the production of bio fuel will take millions of tons out of the world's food market. More demand for food based on changing and improved dietary patterns within countries such as China and India, puts more and more demands on the supply of wheat and meat products. Due to the increase in world population, 40% more food will be needed by the year 2020. The world reserves of food have fallen from 100 days supply in the year 2000 to 40 days in the year 2006, and are at their lowest since 1979.
United Kingdom Problems Over the past 15 years our self-sufficiency in food production has fallen by 1% per year until we now produce barely 60% of our needs. Unless drastic actions are taken, production will get much lower over the next few years. Farm incomes over the past 30 years have fallen by approximately 66%, with more and more farmers giving up. In 2006, our total crop-growing area fell by 2.2% reaching the lowest level for 22 years, and the area for cereal growth fell by 2%. Also in 2006, the number of beef cattle fell by 1.7% and sheep by 2% In 2005, only 3% of our farmers were aged 35 years or under, with 29% aged 65 years or more
Popular Alliance would take the following steps:- Farming Popular Alliance believes that the countryside should be the basis for a thriving, profitable industry, rather than a 'theme park', and in order to avoid major shortages, whereby the country is held to ransom by the need to import food we would :- Endeavour to produce as much food from our own UK resources as possible. To enable us to do this, farmers would be guaranteed a minimum price for their products, agreed annually. Look at a return to a non-profit making Milk Marketing Board, or an arrangement with dairies whereby farmers can agree an annual fixed price for all the milk they can produce. Any surplus production, would, of course, go into the manufacture of butter and cheese products, thereby reducing our need to import foreign products. Set up a low interest loan system to encourage and allow young farmers to rent or buy their own farm. Ensure that, when a farmer retires from a rented farm, his son or daughter would have the right to renew the tenancy providing that they have the skills and wherewithal to so do. Take away the responsibility for a vibrant farming industry from DEFRA, whose claim to fame so far has been to incur £300 million in fines imposed by the EU for gross incompetence in not meeting deadlines for payment of money to our farmers. A Minister would be appointed to co-ordinate production with farmers to achieve the goals of maximum output of food for the UK, together with a viable, fair income for the producers. Reduce the number of farm inspections and 'red tape' to one a year to cover all aspects of hygiene and health and safety. Create more local abattoirs, so that long and stressful journeys for livestock are eliminated and animals can be reared, slaughtered and marketed locally. This would have an environmental benefit, as carbon emissions from road transport would be reduced. Protect the environment by banning the cutting of hedges and verges during the months of March to September, unless this would cause a safety hazard to road users. This would allow wild flowers and grasses to self-seed and provide a vital habitat for birds and small mammals. Halt the growing use of cereals for bio fuels in favour of a more efficient and less costly method. See our Energy Policy. Fishing
We would re-instate our traditional, long established 200-miles exclusion zone, within which other nations would be barred from legally fishing our waters. This would enable our fishermen to maintain a viable, economic living whilst also self-regulating their fishing activities in order to preserve stocks so that they can return to a healthy, sustainable level. Surface fishing using nets slung between two trawlers would be made illegal; this type of fishing is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales. Evidence of this is constantly being seen by the dead bodies washed onto the beaches of Cornwall.
It appears the biggest offenders are the French, Spanish and Irish trawlers who constantly use this method of fishing. UK citizens must appreciate that until we regain our independence from Europe, by offering a referendum for repealing our membership of the European Union, no government, Conservative or Labour, would be allowed to enact any of the points in this policy. If you have any comments or wish to contribute ideas and suggestions for our Farming and Fisheries Policy, then please email
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