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“Avoid Fragmentation” Bill McKelvey Urges Industry

SAC Chief Executive and Principal Bill McKelvey used an address to the Committee of the Farmers Club in Whitehall to urge the agricultural industry to pull together and avoid fragmentation. In a speech designed to stimulate discussion among his audience Professor McKelvey argued that industry disunity is confusing to the public, manna to the press and damaging to the whole industry.

Paying tribute to the Farmers Club and its Charitable Trust, Bill McKelvey noted that several SAC staff members had benefitted from travel study awards while others had applied in the latest round. He described the club as inclusive, a UK club for the meeting of minds, which was something he valued. While the SAC Chief Executive applauded what the SNP Government had done for the farming community in Scotland and contrasted it with the late realisation in Whitehall that agriculture can be the solution to many of the issues we now face, co operation between the two Governments was always to be supported.

According to Professor McKelvey the same argument applied elsewhere. He was concerned about the growing rift between conventional farming and the organic movement. He regretted the recent “alternative” Oxford Farming Conference run alongside the traditional event, but in direct competition which only helped to confuse consumers.

“We need a united voice,” said Bill McKelvey, “Especially in arguing for resources like research funding at a time when public spending is under pressure.”

Professor McKelvey believed the debate should focus on sustainability. How can we produce more food, using fewer resources, less energy, less water while producing less greenhouse gas and dealing with the impacts of climate change.  However he wondered just how much agriculture could be asked to successfully meet tough emissions targets, yet still tackle the food production crises.  According to Bill McKelvey it was important to concentrate on the efficiency of production which would have a far greater positive effect on climate change mitigation than many alternative technologies.  

Research remained a key element of the strategy and Professor McKelvey welcomed the recent launch of the UK Cross–Government Food Research and Innovation Strategy and the recent Royal Society report.

However he warned that the research should be useful.  He stressed that applied research, as carried out by SAC, should not be forgotten.  He regretted the loss of so much research capacity and the experts skilled at pass on important messages to farmers and land managers. However he warned the industry that it could not leave everything to public funds.

“Do not simply bang the drum for increased public funding,” he said. “Vital as public funding is, can we go a step further by increasing our own investment, as an industry?  We need a united voice to tell the good news stories, to convince politicians that we can respond positively to societies concerns and that we can work together to find the solutions.” 

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