Tuesday 11:11
Sir Don Curry, Chairman of the Sustainable Farming and Food Delivery Group, was in Norwich today (Tuesday 9 October) to find out how the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy (SFFS) is being delivered across all six counties.
Sir Don's trip to the East of England is his second regional visit on this year's series of visits to each of the English regions. The visits also coincide with the start of the Year of Food and Farming (September 2007).
During his visit he learnt about the sustainable development opportunities for food and drink businesses, how the region is trying to reconnect consumers with the food chain, what innovative research and development is happening in the agri-food sector and some of the key issues and challenges that the region is facing in delivering the Government's strategy.
Sir Don visited the John Innes Centre on the Norwich Research Park where he was given presentations on the work that is being carried out to address the challenges faced by the agri-food sector as well as hearing about the work of Renewables East and CRed, the University of East Anglia-based community carbon reduction programme, into bio-renewable energy.
Sir Don said:
"Regional visits, such as that to Norwich today, allow me to find out what is really happening. It has been clear since the Farming and Food Strategy was established that regional delivery would be vital. Without engagement across the regions, we will not succeed. Today I have had the opportunity to discuss local issues and to see first hand how the Farming and Food Strategy is progressing at the business end.
"Each region is different and has different priorities. But I have found that in each region activity is being driven by a number of dedicated people who lead on a broad range of different subjects. For example the increase in local and regional production of food in the East of England is very exciting and bodes well for the future sustainability of the sector.
"The work being carried out at the John Innes Centre demonstrates the way in which collaboration between science and the food and farming industry makes sense. It can lead to increased profitability and competitiveness within the food and farming sector and help businesses adapt and change so they survive and flourish in the future. In the highly competitive world of food and farming, standing still is not an option."
Marie Francis, Sustainable Farming and Food Champion for the East of England, who hosted the visit by Sir Don, said:
"The Sustainable Food and Farming Group is pleased to welcome Sir Don Curry into the region. It provides an opportunity to show how the East of England is leading the way in academic research and R and D in food, farming, renewable energy and non food uses of crops. This work offers new commercial opportunities for the food and farming industry and is important in helping existing businesses remain competitive and productive.
"The food and farming industry requires constant change and innovation to meet the needs of an increasingly sophisticated and demanding market place. R&D is fundamental if the industry is to find new markets and create new products. Research is also essential in helping the industry face a range of challenges, from climate change, growing populations and health issues to the need for more sustainable methods of consumption and production."
During his visit, Sir Don heard from Dr John French, Project Director for the InCrops project, which targets developments in alternative and non food crops. He said: "We have a real opportunity to promote knowledge transfer from leading centres like the John Innes Centre and the University of East Anglia to directly address the sustainable consumption challenge, simultaneously tackling the need for much more rural business innovation while at the same planning for the impact of climate change on this region."
The Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy was established in 2003 following Sir Don Curry's report into the future of the industry ("Farming and Food, a sustainable future", also known as the Curry report). A steering group was set up in each of the English regions to develop and oversee a regional Sustainable Farming and Food action plan with an independent chair person responsible for driving forward the plan.
The Year of Food and Farming, which started in September this year, has several aims including: improving young people's understanding of where food comes from; improving awareness of the role of farming and the countryside; developing healthy eating habits through better understanding of how food is produced; and increased appreciation of the environmental issues associated with food production.
Notes to Editors:
1. Further information on the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/index.htm
2. Further information on the InCrops Project from Dr John French, Alternative and Non Food Crops, University of East Anglia. John.French@uea.ac.uk
Issued on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by the Government News Network East. Media information contact Jenny Thompson, GNN East
Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR
Website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Client ref 41-07
