The Oxford Farming Conference: an analysis

Our new Head of Agri Consultancy, Tom Heathcote, gives us his take on the Secretary of State, Michael Gove’s speech at the Oxford Farming Conference.

The 3rd of January saw Michael Gove deliver another highly polished speech at the Oxford Farming Conference, although he did not make any new commitments for rural based businesses which was a disappointment for some. 

The reality is that with MPs continuing to debate the Withdrawal Agreement, he was never likely to make any new pledges or commitments. Instead he reiterated what he said at last year’s conference and many times since, about the importance of productive farming and environmental preservation and enhancement.

The three key topics discussed (in order) were food, rural businesses and the natural environment. The Secretary of State received much criticism when the Health and Harmony Paper and the Agriculture Bill were published, about the lack of priority given to food production. So perhaps this speech was a sign that he has listened to those comments. 

He described how the world is entering a ‘fourth agricultural revolution…in how we produce food’ and confidently stated that the UK can become a global food producer of top quality health food. He also said with optimism that he feels the agricultural sector can become a driving force in replenishing natural capital, tackling waste, pollution and emissions. 

We certainly do have the potential to effect significant change, and to shape and define the agricultural and natural environment for generations to come, but it requires long term commitment and support from successive governments to achieve this. The support also needs to be cross party and cross government.

Leaving political allegiances aside, the current Secretary of State has been far more visible and more engaging than previous ministers in his post and he is certainly influential in Westminster. The risk recognised by those at the conference is if he leaves his current office and who will replace him.   

A purely financial-based support model, which many individuals and organisations are calling for, will not deliver the required results, and the opportunities of reform and advancement in the agricultural sector afforded by the ‘fourth revolution’ will be lost.

Reform takes time and requires investment and there was reassuring repetition that the Government recognises this. The problem is that until Brexit is resolved and policies drafted, farmers and landowners have no understanding of how much financial support might be available, and that makes decision-making very difficult.  

Equally, if not more, important than financial support is education and training. Gove spoke about the important role that technology, science and R&D will play in shaping the sector and he is correct.  For example the use of vertical farming, aquaculture and cellular environments offer significant potential and are areas to be endorsed.

But the UK lacks the professional knowledge to be able to help, educate and teach farmers and landowners about it. Education is also a two way process, and farmers and landowners should be open minded and receptive to the concept of learning, something which many have shied away from in the past. 

Michael Gove’s speech was more a reassurance than an insight into new policy, and whilst some may be frustrated by this at a time of such uncertainty and turmoil, not just in the UK Agriculture, a little reassurance and optimism is still very welcome. 

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