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Praise for SAC’s Powerful Performance at Oxford Conference
A report prepared by the SAC Rural Policy Centre for the recent Oxford Farming Conference has been praised by Government Ministers and Industry Leaders. Commissioned by the Conference Board, “Power in Agriculture” examined where the economic, political and natural resource power currently lies in world agriculture, how it might change and what it means to British Farmers.
The report was prepared by SAC Researchers Steven Thomson, Dr. Md. Mofakkarul Islam and Dr Alan Renwick, who made the presentation at the two day Conference held in the Examination Schools during the first week of January.
"Power in Agriculture" considers the influence of national governments, trading blocks, emerging states and trans- national corporations. It focuses on economic power, political power and access to natural resources (eg potash fertiliser). It suggests that with limited natural resources the UK’s position as an agricultural player depends on increasing productivity. This requires investment and R&D.
Introducing the work Oxford farming Conference Chairman Cedric Porter said:
“The report shows us that the UK still retains an historically big influence in global agriculture, but with countries such as China, Russia and Brazil coming up the ranks, the food and farming industry will need to act to retain our strong position”.
Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, who shared the platform with Alan Renwick and spoke after his presentation, said:
“The SAC report predicts a decline in EU export capabilities, relative to emerging powers. But I read this as a call to the EU farming industry to become more competitive – and grasp the many opportunities of globalisation and the need for sustainability.”
“It is clear the British food and farming industry already punches above its weight and with more mouths to feed…the industry is going to have huge opportunities to expert high quality British products to emerging markets”.
For the full report and presentations from the Oxford Conference, follow the Power in Agriculture link on the right.
Power in Agriculture was supported by Volac, Lloyds TSB and Massey Ferguson.