The Launch of the 25-year Farming Roadmap
RABDF has responded to the Government’s long-awaited Farming Roadmap 2050: Growing England’s Future, calling it an important opportunity to set a clear direction for the future of British agriculture.
RABDF Chairman and Cumbrian dairy farmer, Robert Craig, said: "The Roadmap rightly recognises the vital role that farming plays in food security, economic growth and rural communities and, more importantly, sets an overarching direction and framework for the future growth of British agriculture.
“For dairy farmers, long-term policy goes hand in hand with having the confidence to invest in their businesses, maintain competitiveness and respond to market volatility. What we need to see is how this vision for farming will actually shape and influence the regulations, rules and policies that affect farmers every day – from planning and disease control to the environment and land management.
“We are especially keen to start work with the Government on developing a growth plan for the dairy sector that has profitability, resilience and sustainability at its core. The Government’s commitment to collaborate with industry on unlocking potential and removing barriers to growth is significant, recognising that individual sectors face distinct opportunities and challenges.
“If this Roadmap truly sets the direction for the next 25 years, and can itself prove to be an adaptable and sustainable policy, then there will be positive outcomes for food production, the environment and consumers.”
Background:
The Farming Roadmap sets out a 25-year vision for English agriculture, focused on improving profitability, productivity, sustainability and resilience, alongside immediate measures to support farm businesses through investment, innovation and supply chain reforms.
The Roadmap offers an overarching vision and set of policies that reflect the government’s understanding of the issues affecting agriculture, alongside the government’s role in working with individual sectors to address challenges.
As recommended in Baroness Batters’ Profitability Review, Defra has established a Food and Farming Partnership Board (FFPB). The Board is chaired by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Farming Minister, and includes representatives from farming and the food supply chain. It will oversee Sector Growth Plans (as referred to in the Roadmap) starting with horticulture and poultry.
