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Farm Business Income figures
The latest Farm Business Income figures suggest that farmers are still feeling the impact of an unpredictable and volatile market place , the NFU has said .
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FU President Meurig Raymond said that while many sectors had seen improved fortunes – mainly due to the falling value of the pound – the wider industry was suffering from sharp rises in farm inputs , such as for feed , fertilisers and machinery .
“ It is good news that many sectors are currently seeing improved commodity prices . However , for all sectors these figures can quickly change and steep reductions in the dairy and poultry sectors only go to emphasise that farmers are in an extremely volatile sector ,” he added .
“ Looking ahead , this uncertainty shows no sign of abating and there will be many challenges ahead as Brexit negotiations begin .
“ With that in mind , I am calling on the government to ensure it can introduce a domestic agricultural policy which helps build a more profitable farming industry , by focusing on productivity , volatility mitigation and environmental measures , as highlighted at our conference last week .
“ Our industry now needs certainty and firm commitments from government if the country is to feel the benefits of a thriving food and farming industry . NFU members want to deliver on a vision shared with Government for an increasingly profitable , competitive and sustainable food and farming sector .
“ We have been clear on what we believe is needed to achieve this . Firstly unrestricted access to the European market , secondly
T he project aims to bring together experts throughout the horticulture supply chain through staff exchange to institutions in Europe and South America . Launched in October 2016 , the initiative will run for four years and see participants from across the globe visit each other to share knowledge and insights .
David Perez , Angel Ortiz and Faustino Alarcon from the University of Valencia visited LEAF for a month at the start of the year . LEAF representatives continued access to a competent and reliable workforce both pre and post farm-gate and thirdly a new agricultural policy which assists in the development of an increasingly productive , progressive and above all profitable farming sector .”
LEAF welcomes guests from Valencia Uni
Representatives from the University of Valencia recently visited LEAF ( Linking Environment And Farming ) as part of the RUC-APS project ( Enhancing and implementing Knowledge based ICT solutions within high Risk and Uncertain Conditions for Agriculture ). will make a return visit to Valencia within the year , as well as six other institutions .
The scheme brings together participants from seven countries including France , Italy , Poland , Spain , the United Kingdom , Argentina and Chile . As well as University of Valencia and LEAF , other establishments taking part include the University of Plymouth , Systems Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences ( IBSPAN ), Universite de Tolouse 1 Capitole and Innovation for Agriculture .
06 | Farming Monthly | March 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk