FARMA - The National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association

FARMA represents farmers, growers, producers and farmers' market organisers throughout the UK. We are the only organisation in the UK dedicated to supporting the local direct sales sector and driving local foods. [Read more about FARMA]
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Thursday, 19 March 2009 21:02

Sir Don Curry

‘I am currently chair of the Implementation Group overseeing the Government’s Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy. The Strategy was built on and included a full response to the recommendations of the Policy Commission report on the Future of Food and Farming in England produced in 2001. 


The central theme of the Policy Commission report was reconnection - reconnection of farmers with their market place and the rest of the food chain; reconnection of the food chain with the countryside and reconnection of consumers with what they eat and how it is produced.

The aim of the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy is to help farmers adapt to this changing world, particularly as a result of CAP reform, in which they must deliver environmental goods while learning to live without production subsidies and becoming more in tune with their markets.

We said in the Policy Commission report: ‘We believe that one of the greatest opportunities for farmers to add value and retain a bigger slice of retail price is to build on the public’s enthusiasm for locally produced food, or food with a clear regional provenance. Increasing the market share of such food would have benefits for the farmer and consumer alike.’

It is clear from research that British consumers do want to be able to buy British food and that the maintenance of the British countryside is of great value to them.

There is therefore a need for farmers and industry to work together to drive efficiency.

A need to concentrate on local and regional initiatives and to intensify our efforts to reconnect the British public with agriculture and the countryside. We need to communicate more effectively and co-ordinate our efforts - our future markets depend on it.

What binds together the members of the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) is their marketplace, which is indisputably local as defined by the people, the product, the place and the process. FARMA has a pivotal role in encouraging new businesses to thrive and in setting standards for the industry to boost consumer confidence further.

I am very keen to encourage partnership and the sharing of best practice and information. Collaboration and co-operation are key to the success of small and medium sized businesses. I am delighted that two key organisations have come together to create FARMA. It has the knowledge and experience to support the industry and I wish FARMA every success.’

 

 

Pam Warhurst,
Chair, the Countryside Agency
‘The Countryside Agency works to sustain and promote a living countryside. One of our key programmes is Eat the View in which we aim to encourage people to consider the countryside when making their buying choices and, whenever possible, positively discriminate for the local option. When consumers pick the crop in the field and enjoy distinctive local produce special to people, place and processes, they are Eating the View.
The countryside has many needs. Along with more affordable housing and better transport, rural communities also need sustainable employment in businesses that support, rather than destroy the countryside. Farm direct sales businesses depend on the landscape as much as it depends on them and for every person employed by them, others will be more likely have a similar job opportunity in a local supplier business. FARMA is helping the sector to develop along lines which promise long-term viability, which can only be to the good of our rural communities.’ 

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 May 2009 14:54
 

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