Britain must produce more food, government to warn

[Aurora]

The Telegraph - 02/01/10

A soaring global population, climate change, diminishing energy sources and depleted fish stocks mean that society can no longer be complacent about its ability to feed itself, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will say.

Setting out a comprehensive food strategy for the next 20 years, ministers will also say that:

* The public must accept genetically-modified food;

* The EU's Common Agricultural Policy adds £52 a year to every Briton's annual food bill; and

* Food should be clearly labelled with its country of origin, to help consumers choose.

Article continues ...

Must accept GM? Never!

[hardworkinghippy]

Quite !

[Catweazle]

I look around and see acres of unproductive land, too small or awkward for the farmers with their combined harvesters, if the government really wants to get this land working it should relax the planning regulations and allow people to build smallholdings on these small plots.

Maybe the government could build the houses and let them to people on an agricultural tenancy, in return for getting the detached farmhouse the occupants have to produce a certain amount of food for themselves and a surplus to go to schools - saves money and gets kids a decent meal.

We need something radical I think, not just GM crops.

[JohnB]

I look around and see acres of unproductive land, too small or awkward for the farmers with their combined harvesters, if the government really wants to get this land working it should relax the planning regulations and allow people to build smallholdings on these small plots.

It's amazing the potential that my land has. I was walking round the southern end of my wood this morning. It adjoins fields that are used for grazing, and once the trees are thinned out, there's potential for growing a lot of food there. I was also looking at how I could spread a forest garden into the northern end of the wood. The land falls away quite steeply, and with regular coppicing of the trees on the slope to let the sun it, there's loads of potential there. It would be useless for conventional farming, but the personal attention it could get because there will be a number of people living here could produce amazing yields.

On it's own it wouldn't make the slightest dent in our food problems, but if the attention to detail, rather than big machines and chemicals, was replicated all over the country, I'm sure we could produce incredible amounts of food. If no one lived here I couldn't see it working anywhere near so well.

[eatyourveg]

This is BAU.

It is continuation of corporations retaining control of our food supplies and we are being told to like it because there is no alternative.

There is an alternative, but it would involve individuals and communities re-taking control of their lives. This is of course a non starter. The majority of the UK population will be quite happy to hear that there is nothing to worry about, UKCorp has it all under control.

It is bad news for anyone with a brain that is functioning beyond sheeple mode. No apologies for using the word sheeple.

[Catweazle]

I look around and see acres of unproductive land, too small or awkward for the farmers with their combined harvesters, if the government really wants to get this land working it should relax the planning regulations and allow people to build smallholdings on these small plots.

It's amazing the potential that my land has. I was walking round the southern end of my wood this morning. It adjoins fields that are used for grazing, and once the trees are thinned out, there's potential for growing a lot of food there. I was also looking at how I could spread a forest garden into the northern end of the wood. The land falls away quite steeply, and with regular coppicing of the trees on the slope to let the sun it, there's loads of potential there. It would be useless for conventional farming, but the personal attention it could get because there will be a number of people living here could produce amazing yields.

On it's own it wouldn't make the slightest dent in our food problems, but if the attention to detail, rather than big machines and chemicals, was replicated all over the country, I'm sure we could produce incredible amounts of food. If no one lived here I couldn't see it working anywhere near so well.

That's exactly what I'm thinking too. A fast coppice species on short rotation for fuel with mature fruit and nut trees between.

There is so much land that could be used that way, but as you wrote - you are much more likely to do it if you live there and can keep an eye on it.

A government initiative to get people back on the land would be great, sadly there are probably tax reasons why they won't do it.

[peaky2]

Maybe we should stop throwing away 1/3 of it before we try to grow more and throw away 1/3 of that as well. Radical I know, but may have some merit

Mind you, when does the government ever consider demand rather than supply - the obvious drawback of which is that it might mean people have to change their behaviour. Oops, that's 'thoughtcrime'.

[Andy Hunt]

This is BAU.

It is continuation of corporations retaining control of our food supplies and we are being told to like it because there is no alternative.

There is an alternative, but it would involve individuals and communities re-taking control of their lives. This is of course a non starter. The majority of the UK population will be quite happy to hear that there is nothing to worry about, UKCorp has it all under control.

It is bad news for anyone with a brain that is functioning beyond sheeple mode. No apologies for using the word sheeple.

This is what I have been thinking. If people start growing their own food and learn how to cook, what will the supermarkets sell?

[madibe]

what will the supermarkets sell?

erm, domestos, mr muscle, disposable kipple, baby oil and insurance.

Perhaps they could sell packaging so that you can present your home grown produce in a 'traditonal' way, keeping up appearances and all that.

[emordnilap]

We need something radical I think, not just GM crops.

I'd also like to see you drop the word 'just' from the above.