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Good question. It says: (1). English farm policy is primarily for ecosystems. Not a multi-functional approach. Triumph for conservation lobby. But... (2). It pushes farming into a double-bind. Part ecosystems, part ramping up productivity which is what damages ecosystems! and (3) https://twitter.com/foodresearchuk/status/1333432694143930369
(3). The dangers just increased of food supplies being encouraged to go elsewhere for cheaper commodities. (4) HM Govt is poised to take food policy back to the bad 1950s days of thinking all the UK needs to do is focus on farms whereas we need a food systems approach. (5) ...
(5). Cuts in subsidies will consign many farms to difficulties. Subsidy system is a sign of policy failure. To pay farmers to be good enviro stewards sounds great but ignores they really need to get more of the value-added from growing food. Everyone else makes the money! (6)...
(6). Policy is now institutionally fragmented. Divided unequal governance. England the elephant in the room, setting what matters (trade, funds, labour, competition policy). Companies shaping food prices. What UK really needs is an integrated food system policy framework. (7)...
(7). Do we now await a more rational integrated agri-food approach but on now sadly very restricted terrain from the @food_strategy? Yes. But the big beasts in the food system are corporate. Who will tackle competition policy, for example? (On that see my ‘Feeding Britain’ book.)
CONCLUSION TO THE QUESTION I WAS POSED: This Farming doc doesn’t crack it. But I get great hope from rising engagement by the public which wants food not just enviro protection; health, decency not exploited food. More on all this in my lecture to Ulster Farmers Union on Dec 2!!
