The Rural Bulletin: 13 July 2017

Labour team pledge policy battle

David Drew, the new shadow Defra minister, has pledged to give the government a hard time as it draws up its post-Brexit agricultural policy. A staunch vegetarian, Mr Drew said he would take a close interest in agricultural reform, partly due to the rural nature of his Stroud constituency. He is joined on the opposition front bench by Halifax MP Holly Lynch, who has been appointed shadow Defra minister with responsibility for Labour’s floods brief. Labour policies for agriculture include a ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments and an end to badger culling.

Commodity prices to remain weak over next decade

Agricultural commodity prices are set to remain weak over the next 10 years, according to a new report by the OECD and FAO. China and biofuel will no longer lead global demand growth, and continued production increases mean real prices are expected to remain flat or decline for most commodities. Future growth in crop production will be attained mostly by increasing yields, and growth in meat and dairy production, while agricultural trade is expected to grow more slowly, remaining less sensitive to weak economic conditions than other sectors.

Harvest 2017 under way with average results

Harvest is under way across much of southern England, with early winter barley and oilseed rape looking reasonable. Yields and quality so far seem about average, although there are reports of high screenings in winter barley, particularly hybrid varieties. Other crop prospects look fair, although there are some concerns over the effect of the spring drought on spring barley, as well as lodging following recent heavy rain. Early winter wheat should be ready to cut in about a week, with harvest running about 10 days earlier than normal. 

Water experts call for collaborative flood approach

The Association of Drainage Authorities has urged the government to help reduce the risk of flooding on farmland, 10 years after the devastating floods in 2007. Rather than continuing to duck the issue of sustainable drainage, the ADA has called on ministers to take a collaborative approach to flood management. It wants the authorities to work with farmers and other stakeholders on a catchment scale, to manage water right down from the uplands to estuaries. The Environment Agency recently announced five pilot catchment areas where farmers are being allowed to maintain local watercourses, and many landowners want that project to be expanded.