On the day the government announced how it was implementing CAP reform in England, an IGD survey showed 66% of farmers believed it would have no impact on them.
Speaking after announcing the changes, Defra secretary of state Margaret Beckett addressed a stakeholder conference to mark the second anniversary of the Curry report.
She said the CAP changes represented the biggest reform of agriculture for a generation. But it was up to the farmers to make it work.
But the IGD survey released at the conference found just 58% of farmers were aware of the Curry report. The vast majority felt it had had no impact on their businesses.
Not surprisingly, those attending the conference - many of whom are involved in implementing the report - were much more positive about report and farming’s future.
However, Sir Don Curry told delegates there was not enough awareness about the report, adding: “We must keep spreading the message.”
The survey found huge support among the public for the notion that Britain should remain a farming nation. Of those quizzed, 90% backed the idea of retaining a strong farming base while 96% said it was important home-produced food remained widely available. But, looking over the next decade, only 54% were confident Britain would remain a major farming nation.
And one of the country’s top retailers warned the conference increased competition in the food industry over the next 12 to 18 months could lead to more commodities being sourced overseas.
Sainsbury group chief executive Sir Peter Davis said Morrisons would soon be taking down prices in its newly acquired Safeway stores, and Asda and Tesco would be keen to maintain their edge. He added: “We have announced we will be more competitive from the summer.”
He said that could lead to a rapid acceleration of moves overseas for commodity products. And competitive retail pressures could overshadow issues such as health or sustainability.
Sir Don said farmers needed to wake up to market realities. There were two challenges.
First, improving awareness of the report and implementation of government strategy. Second, the industry needed to communicate the value of buying British food to consumers in a better way.
Speaking after announcing the changes, Defra secretary of state Margaret Beckett addressed a stakeholder conference to mark the second anniversary of the Curry report.
She said the CAP changes represented the biggest reform of agriculture for a generation. But it was up to the farmers to make it work.
But the IGD survey released at the conference found just 58% of farmers were aware of the Curry report. The vast majority felt it had had no impact on their businesses.
Not surprisingly, those attending the conference - many of whom are involved in implementing the report - were much more positive about report and farming’s future.
However, Sir Don Curry told delegates there was not enough awareness about the report, adding: “We must keep spreading the message.”
The survey found huge support among the public for the notion that Britain should remain a farming nation. Of those quizzed, 90% backed the idea of retaining a strong farming base while 96% said it was important home-produced food remained widely available. But, looking over the next decade, only 54% were confident Britain would remain a major farming nation.
And one of the country’s top retailers warned the conference increased competition in the food industry over the next 12 to 18 months could lead to more commodities being sourced overseas.
Sainsbury group chief executive Sir Peter Davis said Morrisons would soon be taking down prices in its newly acquired Safeway stores, and Asda and Tesco would be keen to maintain their edge. He added: “We have announced we will be more competitive from the summer.”
He said that could lead to a rapid acceleration of moves overseas for commodity products. And competitive retail pressures could overshadow issues such as health or sustainability.
Sir Don said farmers needed to wake up to market realities. There were two challenges.
First, improving awareness of the report and implementation of government strategy. Second, the industry needed to communicate the value of buying British food to consumers in a better way.
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