The farming and food industry has three key challenges: to compete successfully with the world’s best; care for the environment; and build public confidence in what it produces. The industry needs to achieve these aims to be sustainable, and for everyone else to see real improvements in the quality of life.
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Implementing the Curry Report was initially the priority, but in 2006 the Secretary of State's 'Forward Look' publication set out core themes on which we were asked to focus.
These were:
- Succeeding in the Market
- Improving the Environmental Performance of Farming
- Sustainable Consumption and Production
- Climate Change and Agriculture, and
- Animal Health and Welfare
The Board meets five times a year, each meeting focuses on one of the themes above. There are other issues occuring that require the Boards attention. When the EU determined that there would be a nil set-aside rate the Secretary of State tasked the SFFS Board chairmen to monitor the effects of this and to establish regional liaison arrangements involving farming and environmental groups. With an emphasis on animal health and welfare the Board established in 2006, an Animal Health and Welfare sub-group. This is chaired by Anne-Marie Nash and it's members come from within the industry.
The publication of the London Food Strategy by the mayor and London Development Agency (LDA) created many opportunities for those who can meet their 'Local to London' criterion. In 2007 the SFFS Board was involved in setting up a group to work with the East of England Development Agency, the LDA and SEEDA to create 'Local to London' exemplars within the capital.
If farming is to emerge from its recurring difficulties and become more efficient, effective and environmental there needs to be a championing of farming processes. Thanks to South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) funding various Sector Champions have been found from within the industry. They have and continue to play an important part in researching key issues and disseminating what they have learnt to their fellow farmers and growers.
To aid this dissemination the Board has, with SEEDA's help, published "Farming for the Future 2008". This publication gives details of some of those Sector Champions and the areas of work they are championing.
