I managed to catch up with NFU president Peter Kendall at Cereals 2010 to get a few comments on the event and on the industry.  Naturally he was delighted with the statement at the event from Caroline Spelman, Defra secretary that the new coalition government was to put farming and the green economy at the heart of Britain’s economic recovery. In addition, the promise from her colleague Jim Pace that there would be a taskforce to cut red tape was equally welcomed.

Peter felt that the industry was currently in a subdued mood with the downturn in grain prices and the likely upturn in fertiliser prices. However, he felt that the horizon looked pretty good for the industry with the ongoing world-wide demand for food. He went to great lengths to emphasize that it was critical that the crops industry must maximise research to increase efficiency of production. The use of science as a tool for improvement is of major importance to advancement. He also emphasized the need for scientists with good communication skills to engage with farmers about improvements. The demand for wheat in the new energy plants is also very significant for near and future developments in the UK.

Briefly commenting on GM crops he hoped that development in trials would continue as it is important for the UK farmer to keep pace on economical production around the world or our global competitors will leave us behind.

Changes in the CAP in 2013 are going to be important and he hopes that the probable co-financing of CAP funding that is more likely from France and Germany will be similar in the UK and by the new Eastern block members or we will be at a disadvantage. Good negotiation on this aspect is going to be critical.

Peter also talked of Government cost savings and exemplified the Rural Payments Agency who cost on average £1,740 to process a grower payment in England or Wales whereas in Scotland it costs £280. This typifies the bad management of the previous Government and must be changed.

Overall Peter was very upbeat and had a very optimistic view for the future. I came away feeling that the NFU was in good hands with a strong current team.