Medway Agriculture Research Project
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MEDWAY AGRICULTURE RESEARCH PROJECT Kent & Sussex FWAG Kent Office: Coldharbour Farm, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5DB telephone 01233 813186 www.fwag.org.uk [email protected] MEDWAY AGRICULTURE RESEARCH PROJECT Contents Page SUMMARY 555 1. INTRODUCTION 666 1.1 Introduction 6 1.2 Background to study 6 1.3 Approach to study 7 1.4 General description of study area 7 1.5 Farming in the study area - an overview 8 1.6 Acknowledgements 999 2. INFORMATION STUDY 101010 2.1 Farming background ––– national 101010 2.1.1Overview 10 2.1.2 Relevant 2009 key figures and trends for England 10 2.1.3 Agricultural support 11 2.1.4 Agricultural economics 13 2.1.5 Input prices 14 2.1.6 The horticulture sector 15 2.2 Recent changes and developments / impacts 171717 2.2.1 Overview 17 2.2.2 Bluetongue in Kent 17 2.2.3 Foot and Mouth Disease in Kent (FMD) 17 2.2.4 Waste Regulations 18 2.2.5 Cross-compliance 19 2.2.6 Catchment Sensitive Farming 19 2.2.7 Nitrate Vulnerable Zones 20 2.2.8 Climate change 22 2.3 PolicyPolicy,,,, incentives andandand opportunities 252525 2.3.1 Overview 25 2.3.2 CAP reform and Single Payment Scheme 25 2.3.3 Environmental Stewardship (agri-environment schemes) 26 2.3.4 England Woodland Grant Scheme 27 2.3.5 Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) 28 2.3.6 RDPE / Leader 29 2.3.7 Market led initiatives 32 2.3.8 Direct marketing 33 2.4 Farming background ––– regional 343434 2 2.4.1 Overview 34 2.4 2 Pressures and opportunities 34 2.4.3 Land use and farming sectors 34 2.4.4 Designated areas 35 2.5 Farming background ––– Kent area 373737 2.5.1 Overview 37 2.5.2 Employment 37 2.5.3 GVA 37 2.5.4 Food chain GVA 38 2.5.5 Future trends and the role of agriculture 38 2.6 Farming background ––– ttthethe Medway & Gravesham Districts 393939 2.6.1 Overview 39 2.6.2 The farmland resource 39 2.6.3 Soils 39 2.6.4 Rainfall 40 2.6.5 Agricultural land classification 41 2.6.6 Historic development 41 2.6.7 Landscape 42 2.6.8.Farmland usage 43 2.6.9 Farm size 48 2.6.10 Land ownership 50 2.6.11 Land prices 50 2.6.12 Farming and landowning representation 51 2.6.13 Farm labour 51 2.6.14 Summary 52 2.7 Land designations in the study area 545454 2.7.1 Designations 54 2.7.2 Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, agriculture and planning 54 2.7.3 Take up of agri-environment schemes 55 3. ATTITUDE STUDY 565656 3.1 FFFarmerFarmer meeting 565656 3.1.1 Aim of meeting, organisation, attendance 56 3.1.2 Programme 56 3.1.3 Analysis of discussion session 57 3.1.4 Conclusions 57 3.2 Farmer qquestionnaireuestionnaire 595959 3.2.1 Questionnaire results 59 3.2.2 Analysis 66 3.2.3 Conclusions 66 3.3 Individual iinterviewsnterviews 676767 3.3.1 Farmer interviews 67 3 3.3.2 Other interviews 67 3.3.3 Conclusions 68 4. ANALYSIS 696969 4.1 Key factors and issues 69 4.2 Studies and strategies in study area 69 4.3 Matrix - key factors and issues 70 4.4 Information needs 72 5. PROPOSALS 737373 5.1 Overview 73 5.2 Working with sectors 73 5.3 Food production 74 5.4 Climate change 75 5.5 Countryside and landscape 75 5.6 Agri-environment and compliance 75 5.7 Rural development, planning and local policies 76 APENDICES 777777 Appendix 1 Plastic recycling Appendix 2 Farmers Markets and Farm Shops in and around Medway Appendix 3 Farmer meeting invitation letter Appendix 4a Medway Flyer side1 Appendix 4b Medway Flyer side2 Appendix 5 Profit From Your Environment Appendix 6 Notes from Medway Farmer Meeting Appendix 7 Questionnaire Appendix 8 Interview template Farm A interview Farm B interview Farm C interview Farm D interview NFU interview This project was supported by; 4 SUMMARY The project is an initiative from Medway and Gravesham Borough Councils, supported by Greening the Gateway Kent and Medway. The objective of project was to build a picture of agriculture in the study area and how Local Authorities and local initiatives can apply this to projects in an incentive, planning and development context. The study area covers the non-developed areas of Medway, in the rural and the rural- urban fringe locations on the Hoo Peninsula, in the Medway Valley, and areas to the south and east of the built up parts of Medway around Capstone and Rainham. It also includes eastern areas in Gravesham borough in Higham and Shorne. Background information was researched on farming in the area and at county, regional and national/EU level (by desk based and telephone research). Data for Medway and the Gravesham districts from the June 2007 Agricultural and Horticultural Survey is used. Agricultural support and economics are examined, including trends and sector differences. Recent developments are summarized such as impact of livestock diseases, regulation and climate change. The policy and incentive framework for farming is presented, and market led opportunities. Designations and agri-environment schemes are examined. Many of the factors that influence farming in the study area are not local. They come from EU policies, nationally derived incentive and regulatory schemes, and worldwide factors such as food distribution and demand. Nonetheless the study area has a distinctive agricultural landscape and many local characteristics which set it apart. The attitude of farmers in the study area was surveyed (by means of a farmer meeting, a questionnaire and individual interviews). 18 farmers attended the meeting and representatives from Medway and Gravesham Borough Councils. Speaker presentations highlighted environmental and diversification opportunities for farm businesses in the area. A participative discussion aimed to bring out issues that affect farm businesses, the future of farming, and engagement with plans and policies in the area. The farmer questionnaire was sent with the invitation to farmer meeting. From the responders to the questionnaire, four individuals were asked to take part in follow up interviews, and the local NFU was also interviewed. There is a strong perception among responders and those interviewed of a special area for farming. The majority are very or quite confident in the future of farming, and the majority planning to increase enterprises. The main issues seen as affecting the future of farm businesses are the future of the CAP, food production vs. environment or non food crops, regulation and ‘red tape’. The power of the supermarkets is also a concern. The issues emerging from the information and attitude studies are summarized, with reference to local studies and strategies, and further information needs. Proposals are put forward as example practical actions likely to get farmer engagement, aimed at a wide range of local issues, and involving many other agencies. Kent & Sussex FWAG 13/02/2010 5 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction Farming is now a fast changing world. Even in the period of this study, two developments have taken place which could profoundly affect agriculture and horticulture in the area. In January the government launched its strategy for food production in Britain, Food 2030. The stated aim of the strategy is to produce food in ways which: • use global natural resources sustainably, • enable the continuing provision of the benefits and services that a healthy natural environment provides, • promote high standards of animal health and welfare, • protect food safety, • make a significant contribution to rural communities, and • allow us to show global leadership on food sustainability While an aspiration at this stage, Food 2030 has been hailed by the industry as a signal of political support for farming, and in favour of its role in food production. http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/strategy/ In the same month, the Government gave the go-ahead for a ‘supermarket ombudsman’. The creation of an enforcement body is in line with the Competition Commission's recommendation for a body to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). The Code of Practice comes into force in February and will be followed by a consultation on how best to enforce the GSCOP, including which body that might be and the powers it could have. Many growers in the study area supply to supermarkets and this has a marked influence on farm land use and economics, as well farmer opinion. http://www.hortweek.com/news/977358/Government-gives-green-light-supermarket- ombudsman/ 1.2 Background to study The study was initiated by Medway and Gravesham Borough Councils, and Greening the Gateway Medway and Kent. The purpose of the project was to collate information on agriculture in the study area to: • Provide a better evidence base and knowledge of agriculture in area. • Inform green infrastructure planning work – including assessing the ability to deliver access, landscape, heritage, biodiversity, and natural resource management aims through HLS and other measures. 6 • Inform local authority planning officers of likely changes/issues regarding land use and especially diversification. • Provide a basis for further engagement with farmers and land managers in promoting funding, rural advice and other development opportunities, eg Leader, Countryside Management Project and in understanding the barriers land managers face in accessing funding and advice. 1.3 Approach to study The strategy adopted was to research background information on farming in the area and at county, regional and national/EU level (by desk based and telephone research), and the attitude of farmers in it (by means of a farmer meeting, a questionnaire and individual interviews).