The government launched its strategy for sustainable farming and food in England. The strategy document set out how industry, government and consumers can work together to secure a sustainable future for farming and food industries, as viable industries contributing to a better environment and healthy and prosperous communities. Environmental campaigners said that it failed to provide long-term answers to the economic crisis in rural areas, because it did not adequately tackle the inequity in the food chain between supermarkets and food manufacturers and farmers. But the farmers' union gave its support.
Source: The Strategy for Sustainable Farming: Facing the Future, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (08459 556000) | Press release 12.12.02, Friends of the Earth (020 7490 1555) | Press release 12.12.02, National Farmers Union (020 7331 7200)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | DEFRA press release | FOE press release | SDC press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The government said that a consultation exercise had shown widespread support for its proposed reforms to the European Union common agricultural policy, and in particular for breaking the link between subsidies and production ('decoupling'), and shifting more cash support to agri-environment and rural development.
Source: Press release 9.12.02 , Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (020 7238 6000)
Links: Press release | Consultation responses (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
Overall farming income in the United Kingdom in 2002 rose 11 per cent (9 per cent in real terms) to 2.27 billion. Farmers said that incomes are still below the level needed for the industry to survive.
Source: Press release 28.11.02, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (020 7238 6000) | Press release 28.11.02, National Farmers Union (020 7331 7200)
Links: DEFRA press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The government announced a review of learning opportunities to improve rural businesses.
Source: Press release 21.11.02, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (020 7238 6000)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
Responding to the inquiry reports on the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2000, the government admitted that mistakes had been made in its handling of the crisis.
Source: Response to the Reports of the Foot and Mouth Disease Inquiries, Cm 5637, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Welsh Assembly Government, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response (pdf) | DEFRA press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The United Kingdom's consumer councils said that the European Common Agricultural Policy acts against the consumer interest, and that reform is long overdue. They called on the UK government to push for much greater progress in moving the policy in a more sustainable direction.
Source: Future of Farming: Reforming the Common Agricultural Policy, National Consumer Council (020 7730 3469), Scottish Consumer Council, Welsh Consumer Council, and General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 4.7
Date: 2002-Oct
The government published an action plan to help the home-grown organic food and farming sector develop sustainably.
Source: Action Plan to Develop Organic Food and Farming in England, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (08459 556000)
Links: Action Plan (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
Proposals to overhaul crofting in Scotland were published, including the empowerment of individual crofters and the removal of 'restrictive' bureaucracy.
Source: Crofting Reform: Proposals for Legislation, White Paper SE/2002/105, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: White Paper (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
An enquiry report criticised government handling of the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001, and called for a national strategy for animal health and disease control to be developed in consultation with farmers and the wider rural community. The government pledged to learn the lessons from the outbreak.
Source: Foot and Mouth Disease 2001: Lessons to be Learned Inquiry ('Anderson Report'), HC 888, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 22.7.02, columns 669-688, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf links) | Hansard
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 4.7
Date: 2002-Jul