Dear George

 

I know we’ve had our differences. So I’d like to start with an apology.

 

I’m sorry if some of my criticisms of your actions as farming minister have come across as overbearing – I can see that while I may have disagreed with the stand you’ve taken on Europe and bemoaned a lack of action in other areas, you have set out your objectives based on a sound understanding of the farming community you represent. You have a genuine conviction that appropriate policy changes can and will bring improvements and better prospects for the arable sector.

 

Whether for good or bad, current polls suggest Theresa May will still be Prime Minister after 8 June. We know there’ll be a reshuffle of her Cabinet, but for my own part, I sincerely hope you are given the opportunity to continue your work shaping a new UK farming policy. More than anything, arable farmers need some continuity and stability, and someone we can trust to act in our best interests.

 

If all goes well on 8 June and the ensuing days, I dearly hope we’ll see you at Cereals on 14-15 June, taking place at Boothby Graffoe in Lincs. It’s the leading event for the arable industry and our showcase. You’ve visited in the past, and we value the time you’ve taken at the event to see what the industry has to offer and to take part in our debates and discussions.

 

Related story: Science news – Scientists unveil bold vision for UK farming

If you do come, please take the time to visit the AHDB stand and Rothamsted Research next door. As you’re aware, Rothamsted has recently launched its new five-year vision, underpinned by over £50M of BBSRC funding. AHDB unveiled its strategy for 2017-2020 earlier this year.

 

Within both of these has been a firm commitment and strategic objective that Knowledge Exchange lies centre stage of the activities they carry out. This is not just about informing or even inspiring farmers, but about involving us in a journey of innovation.

 

It’s one we’re ready to take, and many of us are already doing so – there are countless examples of progressive arable farmers who carry out on-farm trials, such as Suffolk growers Brian and Patrick Barker. The key aspect is that they share what they learn, and the entire industry benefits as a result.

 

There’s more we can achieve, but we need your help, George, to do this, and there’s never been a better time nor opportunity to set this in motion.

 

One of the consequences of Brexit is that the regulatory system, through which the tools of our trade are authorised, will separate from that of the EU. CRD does an excellent job, both here and in Europe, to ensure these tools are properly assessed and regulated and it’s gained worldwide renown as a consequence.

 

CRD’s great strength is that it has embraced the Precautionary Principle and has learned how to apply this scientifically and objectively to protect the environment and Society’s long term interests, but without compromising progress or standing in the way of innovation. It’ll remain a great asset to UK Farming post Brexit.

 

The worry, however, is what direction Europe will take without CRD’s steadying influence. No matter how judicious the authorisation procedure in the UK, we are far too small for large global agribusinesses to consider us as a solus market for new technology. Faced with the prospect of greater resistance in Europe, they will look elsewhere. Innovation in Europe will continue to languish and the UK will lag someway behind.

 

You can change this. Far from becoming a bygone backwater with a lifeless and struggling farming sector, we have all the resources in the UK to become a thriving hub of agricultural innovation. We have scientists at world-leading centres, such as Rothamsted, John Innes Centre, NIAB and James Hutton Institute. Our farm extension services and AHDB itself are second to none – no other country has the infrastructure we have to apply the fruits of scientific knowledge at a farm level.

 

But most of all, we have the right farmers. No other country has farmers with the same level of intelligence, of integrity, with the same passion for their trade, respect for their environment and yearning for progress. No other farming community is as accomplished as ours at learning how to use new technology, shaping it, and sharing what we’ve learned. But importantly, no other farming community applies this as diligently as we do, within the regulations that respect Society’s long term interests.

 

With your help, UK Agriculture can become a test bed for innovation, not just for Europe, but for the entire world. We can help usher in a new Green Revolution, with safe and measured use of new technology at its heart. We can become a beacon and an inspiration to farmers around the world tasked with addressing the pressing problems of extreme hunger and poverty and the inexorable challenge of feeding a growing global population.

 

We have all the elements that can deliver a truly prosperous, world-leading and responsible arable sector. All we need is a minster we can trust, who shares our vision and can help put the policy in place. I think you’re our man.

Tom Allen-Stevens has a 170ha arable farm in Oxon and is accomplished in the art of turning an accidental spray miss into an on-farm trial.