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Sustainable Farming & Food Strategy
East of England Delivery Plan
2003 - 2004
Government Office for the East of England
GO-East, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 2DF
Tel: (01223) 372 775
East of England Development Agency
The Business Centre, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge, CB4 9LQ
Tel: (01223) 713 900
East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
______________________________________________________________________
Contents
Page
1. Foreword 2
2. Executive Summary 3
3. Key issues to be addressed in the East of England 5
4. Actions to deliver the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy 10
(SFFS)
5. Barriers to Regional Delivery of the SFFS 23
6. Reporting, monitoring, review arrangements 24
7. Contacts for lead partners 25
8. Members of the Regional Steering Group 26
9. Regional Delivery extract from National SFFS 27
10. Glossary 30
Annexes
The annexes are designed to offer further detail on background issues.
They will not be published but are available at:
http://www.go-east.gov.uk/Regional_Information/Regional_Overview/Sustainable_Food_and_Farming
A. National SFFS outcomes and indicators
B. Mapping of existing work in the Region which supports the SFFS
objectives
C. Case studies of agricultural and food sector businesses which
already demonstrate best practice
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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1. Foreword
The Government‟s Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy was published in
December 2002. It draws on the report of Sir Don Curry‟s Policy Commission
on the Future of Farming and Food, and sets out a national vision for the
future of the Food and Farming sectors in England:
‘Our overarching aim is to promote a competitive and efficient
farming and food sector which protects and enhances our
countryside and wider environment, and contributes to the health
and prosperity of all of our communities’
The national Strategy does not make specific recommendations on
implementation. It recognises the great diversity that exists within the farming
and food sectors across the country, and invites each Region to develop its
own Delivery Plan appropriate for local needs. The rest of this document sets
out the Plan for the East of England.
Development of the Plan has been led by a partnership of public and private
sector organisations, including representatives from the food and farming
industries. Partnership members are listed in section 8. The Plan
incorporates suggestions received over the past 7 months from a wide range
of people and organisations engaged with the farming and food sectors. We
would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this process and look
forward to working together to deliver the changes you want to see.
We do not see this as a final blueprint. Over time, priorities will change. New
challenges and opportunities will emerge. We are aware that we may need
to adjust our priorities, or to add new ones. The Plan is a living document,
and will be monitored and updated. It is to be a framework, not a straitjacket.
We hope it will encourage and inspire. It is about better ways of working
together and using resources and funding streams in a more co-ordinated and
focused way.
The Plan, and the partnership behind it, will give a greater sense of common
purpose within the farming and food sectors and their supporters. It will guide
our activities, and be a framework for us all to build the sustainable farming
and food sectors we want to see in our Region.
Jane Rabagliati Alex Mackay
Director, Director,
Sustainable Development & Rural Affairs, Sustainable Development,
Government Office for the East of England East of England Development Agency
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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2. Executive Summary
The East of England has one of the most productive agricultural landscapes in
the world. There is a concentration of agricultural and food sector businesses,
food sector research, development, and support organisations that few other
regions can match. However, in recent years many of our food and farming
businesses have been under severe economic pressure due to depressed
prices and rising costs leading to many people leaving the industry.
Public policy on farming has changed. Emphasis is now placed on the role of
food and farming in environmental management and the delivery of social
benefits. Added to increasing consumer interest in the provenance of food,
the industry now faces a series of interlocking issues that it must address.
We recognise that these challenges require co-ordinated action between the
public sector, businesses and members of the public.
Some businesses need to develop new enterprises and become more market
focused. Many have already begun. They will need to ensure ability to deliver
the environmental benefits that public policy and support will reward and
minimise the negative impacts that they can have on the environment.
We will demonstrate and promote the benefits of adopting key messages
about healthy eating, healthy lifestyles, a high quality diet and good nutrition.
Partners will communicate the benefits that this Plan can deliver to individuals,
businesses and communities in the East of England. It will seek to create the
necessary conditions and opportunities. Most of the desired outcomes will
require co-ordinated action by many people and organisations. Consequently,
the Plan focuses on delivering solutions through partnerships.
Following extensive consultation with businesses, consumers and other
interested parties a programme of actions has been developed to cover six
main areas of work:
1. Education and Skills - The pace of change in recent years has left many
business owners and their staff without the skills needed for the future.
Young people often leave their rural communities, yet food and farming
businesses find it difficult to recruit technical and managerial staff. There
is a desire to re-connect consumers with the source of their food, and
improve people‟s understanding of the links between diet and health.
2. Rural Economy – As traditional agriculture and food production remain
under pressure, we need to develop a broad range of economic
opportunities in rural areas by encouraging farm diversification, and
developing new products and services.
3. Business Support – We need to develop focused business support that
meets the diverse needs of farming and food enterprises. This includes
supply chain collaboration, increasing the use of benchmarking, better
business planning and local, integrated, support networks.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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4. Innovation – We need to develop stronger links between researchers
and those who manage food and agricultural businesses, to ensure that
farming and food in the East of England benefits from the concentration of
world class R&D based here.
5. Agri-environment – We need to increase the quantity and quality of
environmental protection initiatives, building upon the excellent work that
many farmers have already undertaken. Emphasis will be placed on the
Entry Level Scheme, water management and co-ordinated action by
groups of farms.
6. Rural Communities – We need to address concerns about access to
affordable housing, so that those who work in the farming and food
sectors can enter their local housing market and contribute to their local
community.
Finally the process of developing the Plan has identified the existence of
„barriers‟ to implementation. Government Office has undertaken to work with
partners to identify barriers, and propose solutions.
A Lead Partner has been identified for each area of the Plan. They will ensure
that the actions are progressed. The actions have been prioritised and,
wherever possible, target dates have been set. As the plan is refined over the
coming months, dates will be set for all the „high priority‟ issues.
Implementing the Delivery Plan is a long-term process. The Plan sets out
how Government and regional partners intend to work with the public and
business communities to deliver long term and meaningful change.
Each Lead Partner will report progress to the Steering Group, every six
months. They will also report barriers to progress. The Steering Group will
prepare an annual report, which will record how implementation has
progressed, and make recommendations to the Assembly for reviewing and
updating this Delivery Plan.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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3. Key issues to be addressed in the East of England
3.1. Current performance of the food and farming sectors
The East of England is one of the country‟s premier food producing
Regions. The farming and food sectors are of significant economic
importance to the Region, with concentrations of arable, intensive
livestock, intensive cropping and large-scale food processing. The
Region has some of the most prized landscapes and habitats in the
country, including several of worldwide importance. Many are the
product of traditional farming practices, particularly extensive grazing.
In recent years there has been growth in local foods, regional branding
and niche-food business.
The Region has some of the most technically advanced production
systems in the world. It benefits from a favourable climate, long
established R & D capabilities and is close to many major markets.
Despite all of these advantages, incomes are under pressure. The
number of full-time jobs in agriculture continues to decline and there
have been high profile failures in the food processing industry.
The industries suffer from generic issues that affect rural communities
and businesses, including affordable housing, planning issues, and
access to services, training and transport.
The food sector has responded to changes in consumer lifestyles and
food consumption patterns. One Curry Report theme is disconnection of
consumers from food production. The proportion of consumer food
expenditure that is passed back to primary producers is in decline.
Governments internationally are seeking to change support frameworks
for agriculture. Whether driven nationally, within the EU or globally,
policy changes have concentrated on common themes:
Supporting delivery of environmental benefits;
Reducing negative impacts of food production
Reducing public expenditure in support of food production;
Reducing policies which distort trade in the global market;
Diversifying the rural economy.
The Delivery Plan has been produced against this backdrop of rapid and
wide-ranging changes, consumer remoteness and economic pressures.
It addresses these challenges and aspires to make farming and food
production more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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3.2. Areas for action to improve sustainability
Since December, we have engaged extensively with stakeholders to
identify the issues that were considered to be the most urgent. The
process involved private businesses, government and business
organisations, as well as representatives of communities and from the
voluntary sector. There was a high level of consensus from all
participants on the key issues and many of the ways forward. In total,
more than 200 people attended or contributed to three stakeholder
events and many written submissions were received.
The action needed to move the Region‟s farming and food sectors
towards a more sustainable future can be divided into two types:
Practical actions to achieve sustainability
Support framework for the industry that promotes sustainability
Whilst the primary focus of the Delivery Plan is farming and food, the
broader social and community issues must be addressed if these
industries are to thrive. Stakeholders stressed the need to ensure that
businesses can attract motivated new recruits. This will only be
achieved if ambitious young people see opportunities for stimulating,
rewarding employment in the farming and food industries.
3.3. Actions and outcomes
Stakeholders identified six headline and a range of subsidiary actions
that are necessary for sustainable farming and food production:
1. Education and Skills - The pace of change in recent years has left
many business owners and their staff without the skills needed for the
future. Young people often leave their rural communities, yet food and
farming businesses find it difficult to recruit technical and managerial staff.
There is a desire to re-connect consumers with the source of their food,
and improve people‟s understanding of the links between diet and health.
2. Rural Economy – As traditional agriculture and food production remain
under pressure, we need to develop a broad range of economic
opportunities in rural areas by encouraging farm diversification, and
developing new products and services.
3. Business Support – We need to develop focused business support
that meets the diverse needs of farming and food enterprises. This
includes supply chain collaboration; increasing the use of benchmarking;
better business planning and local, integrated, support networks.
4. Innovation – We need to develop stronger links between researchers
and those who manage food and agricultural businesses, to ensure that
RI2 6 July 2003
East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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farming and food in the East of England benefits from the concentration of
world class R&D based here.
5. Agri-environment – We need to increase the quantity and quality of
environmental protection initiatives, building upon the excellent work that
many farmers have already undertaken. Emphasis will be placed on the
Entry Level Scheme, water management and co-ordinated action by
groups of farms.
6. Rural Communities – We need to address concerns about access to
affordable housing, so that those who work in the farming and food sectors
can enter their local housing market and contribute to their local
community.
Whilst not a formal action area in the Delivery Plan, the Steering Group and
stakeholders identified the existence of ‘Barriers to Regional delivery of the
SFFS’. These „barriers‟ will be drawn to the attention of Government. Solutions
will be proposed which will help to remove the „barriers‟.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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3.4 Support framework to promote sustainable food and farming
Having defined the outcomes and actions needed, we reviewed the
support systems available in the Region that support these outcomes.
We found that virtually all the proposed activities are being practised
somewhere in the Region. However many activities, projects and
programmes are:
localised and (even when effective) seldom replicated;
dependent on short-term project based funding (many good projects
fail in the longer term due to changes in the funding arrangements);
often reliant on one highly motivated individual (exposing the project
to a risk of collapse when that individual moves on);
too short-term (projects often come to an end just when they are
starting to deliver benefits).
Short-term projects often suffer when disproportionate amounts of
resource are used to compile bids for future funding, rather than
delivering objectives.
However, this Delivery Plan does not recommend those short-term
projects, funding and pilot schemes should be abandoned. The Steering
Group and stakeholders recognised that they have a valuable
contribution to make. The Delivery Plan recognises that the best projects
need to be identified, supported and replicated across the Region.
Lead Partners (from the public sector) have been identified and have
responsibility to monitor activity that supports their area of responsibility.
They will identify and address gaps and guide the replication of
successful pilots. Terms of reference for the Lead Partners are:
Initially
Review, in detail, existing work which supports their action area,
and identify gaps in provision or capacity
Work with stakeholders and partner organisations to determine
which of the identified gaps require priority attention
Work with stakeholders and partner organisations to identify target
actions in their area of responsibility
Review the capacity of existing organisations to meet agreed target
actions
Work with partners to develop a detailed work plan for their area of
responsibility
Ongoing
Co-ordinate the activity of organisations working in their area of
responsibility
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Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Develop a communication network for all working in the action area
to share best practice and disseminate pilot project findings
With supporting partners, develop articles and media friendly copy
that reports activity in their area of responsibility.
Report Delivery Plan progress to the Steering Group every 6
months
Review, each year, the detailed work plan for their area of
responsibility
3.5 Timescales
Some of the activity and desired outcomes can be achieved relatively
quickly. Most will take much longer, requiring new skills to be developed,
changes in culture, and changes to private and corporate behaviour.
The following sections detail what activity is proposed for the first year of
the Plan. Lead Partners have indicated whether each action is high,
medium or low priority. Timescales have been set where possible and
appropriate. Timescales will be set for all relevant areas when Lead
Partners have been able to meet with all their delivery partners, and
develop additional detail.
As part of the annual review process, Lead Partners in each area of
responsibility will set and revise target dates for each proposed activity.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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4 Actions to deliver the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy (SFFS)
Under the 6 headings outlined in section 3 above a number of sub areas have
been defined. These sub areas each have a designated Lead Partner, who will,
on behalf of the Region, take responsibility for overseeing the actions taken.
Area 1 Education and Skills, sub area a: Reconnecting Consumers
Lead Partner: Government Office for the East of England
High Priority:
Develop enhanced links between the national curriculum and food by
promoting educational packs across the region through LEAs and Church
Schools, by March 2004.
Supporting Partners: LEAs, EAFL, EECN, Rural Action East, The East of
England, Norfolk & Suffolk Agricultural Societies, NFU, and CLA.
Medium Priority:
Increase media awareness of positive food messages by developing and
promoting a series of media friendly stories by December 2003.
Supporting Partners: Government News Network, East of England Public
Health Group, HDA, PCTs, EEDA, NFU, CLA & FDF press teams.
Low Priority:
Develop at least 3 pilot food trails for visitors by producing leaflets which
link food destinations to accommodation and other attractions by June
2004.
Supporting Partners: Tastes of Anglia, EETB, and County Rural Forums.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 1 Education and Skills, sub area b: The Workforce and Skills for
Business
Lead Partner: East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
EEDA will continue to co-ordinate skills work with regional partners through
the Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESA). This
area focuses on the need to:
Improve the business, marketing and technical skills in the sector;
Assist retraining of those displaced from traditional work;
Offer sound careers advice and training to ensure a steady influx of young
people and skills into the sector.
High Priority:
To mainstream rural issues into the FRESA high priority areas of: skills for
business; career choices for young people; the future labour force; skills
for employability; workforce development; regional response to
redundancies. EERAF Learning and Skills Sub Group members to join
with FRESA top priority sub groups by December 2003.
The Food and Drink Strategy for the Region will provide long-term
priorities for the Agri-Food Sector including broad skills issues and
interventions. The Strategy will be completed by December 2003.
Supporting Partners: GO East, Defra RDS, LSCs, SBS, ACER, AUEE, Job
Centre Plus, CBI, EERA, Connexions, SSCs, other training providers, ADER,
AGRE, and Rural Action East
Medium Priority:
To support the development of a Land and Food Skills Observatory to co-
ordinate a robust evidence base to inform regional skills provision in the
Agri-Food Sector.
Low Priority:
Develop improved regional relationships with the existing and emerging
Sector Skills Councils representing the Agri-Food sector.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 1 Education and Skills, sub area c: Healthy Eating and Diet
Awareness
Lead Partner: East of England Public Health Group
High Priority:
Implement 5 a day community initiatives in Norfolk and Essex and share
early lessons with partners by 31st March 2004;
Prepare for regional implementation of national school fruit scheme by 30th
September 2004.
Supporting Partners: PCTs, EAFL, HDA, EEDA, GO-East, NFU, NOF.
Medium Priority:
Improve health & diet education of children & young people through Food
in Schools and other projects.
Supporting Partners: EAFL, HDA, LEAs, GO-East, PCTs, NOF, DfES,
Stibbington Project.
Implement the regional requirements of the national Food and Health
Action Plan.
Low Priority:
Map access to affordable fruit and vegetables in the region for low-income
groups and disadvantaged areas.
Supporting Partners: EAFL, HDA, LAs, GO-East, NFU, PCTs, ERPHO
Explore the local population‟s attitudes to healthy eating and identify
barriers to higher consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Supporting Partners: HDA, Universities, PCTs (dependent on securing
research funding).
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 2 Rural Economy, sub area a: Public Procurement
Lead Partner: Government Office for the East of England
High Priority:
Promote Defra Guidance on Public Sector Food Procurement across the
public sector in the East of England. At least 1 event and 3 press articles
by December 2003.
Promote the Sustain Manual on Sustainable Food Procurement within the
public sector in the East of England and to the potential supply base in the
region. At least 1 event and 3 press articles by December 2003.
Incorporate sustainability criteria in letting public sector procurement
contracts and inform supply base of emerging opportunities. Pilot activity
under way with school fruit scheme and at least 1 large supply contract to
be set up by March 2004
Support and guide the development of a regional supply base to meet the
needs of public sector procurement managers pursuing sustainability
principles. Scoping event with stakeholders by December 2003.
Supporting Partners: East of England Public Health Group, EEDA, EERA,
Local Authorities, NFU, EAFL, Countryside Agency, Defra RDS
Medium Priority:
Develop a whole system approach to agriculture, environment, health and
economic development through sustainable public sector food provision in
the East of England. An INTERREG IIIC RFO project is in development
for December 2003 application.
Supporting Partners: East of England Public Health Group, EEDA, EERA,
Local Authorities, NFU, EAFL, Countryside Agency, Defra RDS
Identify NHS organisation(s) to pilot/explore methods to increase the
sustainability of food procurement in the NHS.
Supporting Partner: East of England Public Health Group
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 2 Rural Economy, sub area b: Co-ordinated Public Investment into
Rural Economies
Lead Partner: Government Office for the East of England
High Priority:
Develop effective engagement and commitment to a strategic framework
for delivery of rural business and community support services in the region
which locks in the key delivery agencies and integrates funding and
services in support of agreed regional rural priorities and outcomes.
Framework and concordat agreed by March 2004.
Supporting Partners: EERA, EEDA, Defra RDS, Countryside Agency, SBS,
LSCs
Area 2 Rural Economy, sub area c: Education of all participants in the
Planning System
Lead Partner: Government Office for the East of England
High Priority:
Ensure consistent and positive use of the planning system to support
diversification out of farming and the use of released land, buildings and
resources to contribute to sustainable development of rural businesses and
communities through:
Incorporation of appropriate policies in Regional Planning Guidance and
the Regional Spatial Strategy due to be produced in 2004
Supporting Partners: EERA, EEDA, Local Authorities, Countryside Agency,
Rural Action East, Defra RDS
Medium Priority:
Incorporation of appropriate policies in Local Development Frameworks as
they are developed and put out to consultation.
Encourage effective rural business engagement with Local Strategic
Partnerships and local communities to ensure relevant input to Community
Strategies and Community Action Plans as they are developed and put out
to consultation.
Facilitate “Get to know the Planners” and “Get to know rural businesses”
events for Planning Authority officers, councillors and local farmers &
businesses. At least 4 events to be held by March 2004
Supporting Partners: EERA, EEDA, Local Authorities, Countryside Agency,
Rural Action East, NFU and CLA
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 2 Rural Economy, sub area d: Community and Local Tourism
Initiatives
Lead Partner: East of England Development Agency
High Priority:
To identify regional tourism priorities, interventions and initiatives through
the development of a Regional Sustainable Tourism Strategy by
December 2003.
To explore the opportunities that may exist to develop the links between
food, town and country and the environment to tourism in order to develop
tourism products for the region through the development of a Regional
Tourism Marketing Strategy, completion by February 2004
Supporting Partners: EETB, Defra RDS, CA, LEPs, EECN, Rural Action East,
Local Authorities plus all regional tourism and related partners
Medium Priority:
To continue to support with partners the regeneration of the region‟s
Market Towns and rural hinterlands as centres for rural tourism and
community development.
Supporting Partners: CA, GO East, EETB, LEPs, Defra RDS, English
Heritage, Rural Action East, Business in the Community, Sport England,
Heritage Lottery Fund, Legal Services Commission, CABE etc.
To facilitate better links between regional partners and the regions
protected areas in order to encourage sustainable development to support
tourism areas of environmental sensitivity.
Supporting Partners: CA, Defra RDS, Broads Authority, AONB partnerships,
Local Authorities, LEPs, GO East, EERA, Forestry Commission, English
Nature
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 3 Business Support, sub area a: Farm Plans
Lead Partner: Government Office for the East of England
Regional concept of Farm Plans: within the region the intention is to develop
a holistic farm planning process to meet the need to:
Address the economic development of the farm business;
Identify opportunities for the farm to deliver environmental and social
benefits to the community;
Comply with future cross compliance requirements;
Comply with the needs of the revised agri-environment schemes - Entry
Level Scheme (ELS) and Higher Tier Scheme (HTS);
Simplify the paperwork and inspection regimes of the many regulatory
bodies currently inspecting farms.
High Priority:
Develop regional capacity to introduce a whole farm planning support service
by March 2005 through:
Ensuring that land-use GIS support systems (e.g. MAGIC) are reviewed
and accessible to new applicants;
Contributing to the development of advisory services networks;
Developing links to the voluntary initiative and other industry programmes.
Increase farmer appreciation of the contribution that whole farm planning can
make to business management and profitability by March 2005 through:
Identifying and promoting case studies;
Supporting training events and farm visits.
Promoting the use of the Environment Agency‟s Environmental
Management System for Farms incorporating a risk based approach to
environmental regulation. Piloting to begin in 2003/4 with the NFU, with
full roll out by 2005.
Supporting Partners: Defra RDS, English Nature, EEDA, GO-East,
Environment Agency, Countryside Agency, NFU, CLA, ADER, and NALMI
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Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 3 Business Support, sub area b: Supply Chain Clubs
Lead Partner: East of England Development Agency
High Priority:
The Food and Drink strategy for the region includes Supply Chain mapping
using case studies to identify supply chain issues within the Agri-Food
Sector. Examples of best practice will be developed which will inform the
development of supply chain initiatives. Strategy completion December
2003.
Supporting Partners: regional business, major supermarket, Defra RDS, GO
East, IGD Food Chain Centre.
Medium Priority:
Discussions with multiple retailers to identify the opportunity to develop
and deliver a producer development programme to improve supply chain
links. Delivery post April 2004.
Area 3 Business Support, sub area c: Benchmarking Schemes
Lead Partner: East of England Development Agency
High Priority:
Continue to develop links with the IGD Food Chain Centre benchmarking
activity to encourage and ensure transfer of good practice into the region.
Supporting Partners: IGD Food Chain Centre, ADER.
Medium Priority:
Discussions with existing business support initiatives to adopt suitable
benchmarking schemes to enhance best practice activity. Pilot activity is
already being planned, to be completed before March 2004 by ADER in
conjunction with the IGD Food Chain Centre.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 3 Business Support, sub area d: Improved Business Planning and
Simplified Access to Grants and Funding Streams
Lead Partner: Defra Rural Development Service East
High Priority:
Co-ordinate grants alignment with the Project Based Schemes * (PBS)
Targeting Statement, steering applicants and advisers on options and best
sources of grant aid.
Provide training and awareness raising events on the grants and support
available.
Provide advice on social/community and environmental impacts of actions
proposed.
Supporting Partners: EEDA, GO-East, NFU, CLA, Business Links, ADER,
Local Authority Economic Development Officers.
* Project based schemes are the three components of the England Rural
Development Plan which are delivered regionally by the Defra RDS East
team, encompassing the Vocational Training Scheme, Rural Enterprise
Scheme and Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme.
Area 3 Business Support, sub area e: Develop the County Hubs
Lead Partner: East of England Development Agency
High Priority:
To facilitate the continued development of the County Hubs as first stop
rural business support mechanisms.
Supporting Partners: Regional Hub Partners.
Medium Priority:
To develop regional co-ordination of the Hubs to ensure dissemination of
best practice, minimum standard levels and quality assurance.
Supporting Partners: Regional Hub Partners.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 4 Innovation, sub area a: R&D Linkages to Businesses
Lead Partner: East of England Development Agency
High Priority:
To develop the Innovation Facilitation Service (IFS) a network to support
innovation and technology transfer for business.
Supporting Partners: RII.
Medium Priority:
The development and delivery of specific food and farming related
technology transfer initiatives through the completion of the Food and
Drink Strategy for the Region and support for existing initiatives.
Supporting Organisations: FoodFen, Defra RDS, ADER, Private Business,
RII, IFR etc.
Area 4 Innovation, sub area b: Encourage the Development of Alternative
Uses for Existing Agricultural Products
Lead Partner: East of England Development Agency
High Priority:
Through Renewables East drive forward the potential for renewable
energy in the region giving priority to the production of grown energy within
agriculture (including bioethanol) in addition to blown energy developments
in the broader rural economy.
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East of England Delivery Plan
Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
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Area 5 Agri-Environment, sub area a: Water Conservation and
Environmental Management
Lead Partner: Environment Agency
High Priority:
Promote the Agency‟s Regional Water Resources Strategy to provide
enough water for all human uses, including for food and farming, with an
improved water environment, by March 2004.
Supporting Partners: GO East, NFU, CLA, Water Companies, EN.
Influence the development of the new Regional Spatial Strategy (RPG14)
to ensure all new homes are water efficient, by December 2004. This
recognises the competing pressures for limited water between farming and
public water supplies.
Supporting Partners: EERA, SDRT.
Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water use in the farming and food
sector by:
Providing and promoting education material on improving irrigation
efficiency by March 2004.
Supporting Partners: UKIA, ADER, NFU, CLA.
Promoting water resource management grants in RES and assisting
farmers in planning new winter storage reservoirs, by March 2004.
Supporting Partners: Defra RDS, consultants.
Promoting best practice in water conservation and waste minimisation with
food processing and packaging companies by building on existing work by
companies such as EnviroWise and FoodFen. Run a series of sector
specific seminars by March 2005.
Supporting Partners: EEDA, GO-East, SDRT, RRAF, companies such as
FoodFen, EnviroWise.
Medium Priority:
Encourage improved local water resource management by encouraging
the formation of local abstractor groups to strengthen farmer input to the
Environment Agency‟s Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies
Groups, by March 2006.
Contributing Partners: NFU, CLA, IDBs, ADA.
As nominated competent authority, promote the implementation of the
Water Framework Directive by encouraging responses from the food and
farming sector to the 3rd Defra consultation document, (due Autumn 2003)
and the development of River Basin Management Plans, by 2009.
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Area 5 Agri-Environment, sub area b: Area-wide Environmental Action
Lead Partner: Defra Rural Development Service East
High Priority:
To co-ordinate and lead on the current Agri-environment review work in
the East of England.
Supporting Partners: English Nature, EEDA, GO-East, Environment Agency,
Countryside Agency, NFU, CLA, ADER, and NALMI
Medium Priority:
Contribute to the development of area wide agri-environment partnerships
through:
Identification and promotion of case studies;
Training and promotion on agri-environment and biodiversity principles.
Supporting Partners: English Nature, EEDA, GO East, Environment Agency,
Countryside Agency, NFU, CLA, and ADER
Low Priority:
Focus agri-environment schemes to achieve greater local impact through:
Promotion of agri-environment and biodiversity principles
Increase opportunities for the availability and viability of grazing livestock for
habitat management by:
Promoting opportunities for niche marketing and branding through local
meat processing capacity.
Encouraging the winter grazing of hill stock in the region.
Supporting Partners: English Nature, EEDA, GO East, Environment Agency,
Countryside Agency, NFU, and CLA.
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Area 6 Rural Communities - Access to Affordable Rural Housing
Lead Partner: East of England Regional Assembly
High Priority:
To prepare the final draft of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RPG14)
considering the contribution made to sustainable rural communities by
people working within the farming and food sectors.
Influence Local Development Frameworks, and promote partnerships
between developers and Local Authorities to secure a mixture of rural
housing designs so that people working in local business may enter their
local market for housing.
Promote the use of rural exception sites for housing which is accessible by
workers employed in the locality.
Develop a mechanism to influence the Regional Housing Board and the
implementation of the Regional Housing Strategy to ensure the needs of
rural areas are addressed in delivering affordable housing in the region.
The long-term aim being to see that rural housing needs are adequately
reflected in any submission to the ODPM for regional housing investment.
Supporting Partners: GO East; Countryside Agency; English Nature; Rural
Action East; CLA; NFU; Environment Agency.
Contributory Partners: Planning Authorities; Forestry Commission, EERAF
Medium Priority:
Identify and promote examples of landowners who have released land for
the development of housing that is accessible to workers employed in the
locality.
Encourage partnerships that may include: Parish Councils; Housing
Trusts; Housing Associations and landowners to use housing needs
surveys that identify barriers to economic development of farming and food
sector business caused when employment opportunities cannot be met by
local workers.
Supporting Partners: East of England Churches Network, Rural Action East,
GO-East, EERAF, and Countryside Agency.
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5. Barriers to Regional Delivery of the SFFS
Government Office will liaise with Lead Partners to address „barriers‟ to
regional delivery of the SFFS.
High Priority barriers:
As negotiations on MTR (agreed by the EU Farm Council in June
2003) are pursued over the next few months, it will be important for
regional bodies to work with farmer organisations and Lead Partners
to ensure that implementation does not create „barriers‟.
A bioethanol industry based in the East of England has the potential
to support a range of environmental, economic and social outcomes
targeted in this Plan. The current fiscal regime and/or access to
funding in support of initial investment in plant are barriers to
progress at this stage.
Identify and eliminate contradictions in policy, and promote
integration of Government programmes and regulation which impact
on food and farming enterprises, ensuring “contradiction proofing”
during their development and implementation.
Improve communication of the Government‟s objectives and
expectations of the food & farming sectors in the East of England,
through closer liaison and communication with industry
representatives.
Supporting Partners: Environment Agency, Defra RDS, English Nature,
Countryside Agency, EERAF, EEDA, EERA, NFU, CLA, FDF.
Medium Priority barriers:
Increase potential project size and resources for PMGS (or its
successor) applicants, to facilitate sector or region wide collaborative
projects that assist industry re-structuring.
Supporting Partners: Defra RDS and EEDA
Increase the capability and capacity of regional government to access
and match fund European Structural Fund projects, supporting
delivery of the SFFS in the East of England.
Supporting Partners: EEDA and EERA
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6.0 Reporting, monitoring and review arrangements
The proposals below establish principles for monitoring and reviewing
implementation of this Plan.
The Haskins Review of rural service delivery arrangements for Defra and its
agencies, and the Regional Food and Drink Strategy (which will be published
in December 2003) mean that reporting arrangements are likely to change
early in 2004. Until these decisions are made, the Regional Steering Group
for the SFFS will continue to act as the primary review body.
6.1 Regional and National reporting arrangements
The National Implementation Group for the SFFS expects regular,
regional reports. Details of the national reporting mechanism have yet to
be finalised.
The Steering Group will produce half-yearly reports on progress against
planned activity, based on feedback from Lead Partners. A more
substantial report, including a commentary and review of the Plan, will be
produced annually. These reports will identify „barriers‟ to progress, both
regionally and nationally, and propose solutions.
The Steering Group will report annually to the Regional Assembly.
6.2 Role of Lead partners
Lead partners will report six monthly on Plan progress and future
revisions and each year will review the detailed work plan for their area
of responsibility.
6.3 Arrangements for review of the Regional Delivery Plan
Lead Partners will review their areas of responsibility on an annual basis,
and make recommendations on updating the Plan. Government Office
will ensure that updating the plan does not create gaps or overlaps, and
will liaise with Lead Partners to address areas of concern. The Steering
Group will present the revised Plan to the Regional Assembly each year,
for endorsement.
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7 Contacts for lead partners
East of England Development Agency (areas 1b, 2d, 3b, 3c, 3e, 4a, 4b):
Fiona Bryant,
EEDA, The Business Centre, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge, CB4 9LQ
Tel: (01223) 484 534
Email: fionabryant@eeda.org.uk
East of England Public Health Group (area 1c):
Martin Seymour,
c/o East Anglia Food Link, 49A High Street, Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6AB
Tel: (01953) 889 200
East of England Regional Assembly (area 6):
Brian Stewart,
Flempton House, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6EG
Tel: (01284) 729 410
Email: brian.stewart@eelgc.gov.uk
Environment Agency (area 5a):
Graham Wilson,
Environment Agency, Kingfisher House, Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay,
Peterborough
Tel: (01733) 464 292
Email: graham.wilson1@environment-agency.gov.uk
Government Office for the East of England (areas 1a, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a and
barriers to regional implementation of the SFFS):
Richard Inman
GO-East, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 2DF
Tel: (01223) 372 759
Email: rinman.go-east@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
Rural Development Service (area 3d):
Martin Edwards,
Defra RDS, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 2DR
Tel: (01223) 462 727
Email: martin.r.edwards@defra.gsi.gov.uk
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8 Members of the Regional Steering Group for the SFFS Delivery Plan
Chair:
Jane Rabagliati, Director of Sustainable Development and Rural Affairs,
Government Office for the East of England
Members:
Alan Bell, Senior Rural Adviser, Government Office for the East of England
Fiona Bryant, Rural Renaissance Manager, East of England Development
Agency
Michael Carroll, Regional Director, Countryside Agency
Chris Carter, Food and Drink Federation and Director of Political Affairs,
British Sugar
Martin Collison, Consultant, Collison and Associates Ltd.
Gareth Dalglish, Regional Agriculture Sector Lead, English Nature
Martin Edwards, Regional Manager, Defra Rural Development Service East
Pam Forbes, Regional Director, National Farmers Union
Revd. Graham Hedger, Secretariat, East of England Churches Network
Katie Huane, Sector Manager, East of England Development Agency
Paul Long, Regional Director, Country Land and Business Association
Alex MacKay, Director of Sustainable Development, East of England
Development Agency
Dr Chrissie Pickin, Head of the Health Investment and Development Team,
East of England Public Health Group
Marie Skinner, Chair, East of England Rural Affairs Forum
Brian Stewart, Regional Director, East of England Regional Assembly
Graham Wilson, Regional Strategic Environmental Planning Manager,
Environment Agency
David Wood, Regional Development Officer, Rural Action East
Secretariat:
Richard Inman, Rural Adviser, Government Office for the East of England
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9 Regional Delivery extract from National Sustainable Farming and Food
Strategy (published by Defra on 12th December 2002 - pages 45-47)
Section 3 – Delivering change – Developing and implementing the
strategy
The Government is committed to building on the existing strengths of our
farming and food sector. We want to see a world class, profitable sector,
competing with the best in the world within the framework of sustainable
development.
This is a shared strategy and we will continue to take it forward together.
There is a huge amount that can only be led by the industry, often working
across sectors in a new way. These are also vital issues for consumers.
To act as a driver for change, the Government has established an
Implementation Group chaired by Sir Donald Curry, with a small membership
drawn from key organisations with expertise in farming, food and the
countryside. It has been set up to oversee and assist in the delivery of the
various strands of the strategy both across Government and in consultation
with industry. Defra and the Prime Minister‟s Delivery Unit will support the
Group. The Government has already committed to making available an
additional £500 million in public funds to take forward the core Curry
recommendations.
Many of the key actions in the strategy are already being taken forward in
partnership between Government and industry. With the Implementation
Group, the Government will take an overview of these arrangements to
ensure that stakeholders are able fully to contribute to the delivery and further
development of the strategy. The Rural Affairs Forum for England will also be
consulted on progress at national level and kept informed of developments in
the English regions (see the regional dimension section below).
This document provides the strategic framework for continuing to develop and
take forward policies across many aspects of agriculture and food production.
In some cases, further strategies are already in preparation, taking forward
work on the wider impacts of the food industry, animal health and welfare,
plant health and nutrition. The goals are clear, and Government is putting in
place mechanisms to ensure that the strategy continues to be developed as
well as delivered.
We must also continue the momentum by ensuring that effort is sustained into
the medium and longer term. Achieving our vision will take time, since it
requires significant economic, political and technological change. Business
and land management decisions will take time to deliver changes on real
farms and in the food industry. Even as current problems are overcome new
issues may require different action priorities. We must continue to take a long-
term view.
Section 4 sets out the major areas where we are looking to achieve change.
The actions set out in this document will start to make those changes. But we
need both to measure success and to see what further actions are needed.
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While we cannot predict the future with certainty, we must prepare for it. We
must analyse expected developments and attempt to identify and assess
uncertain aspects of the future.
Foundations for our Future contained a commitment by Defra to review
annually the progress of its Sustainable Development Strategy, in an open
and participative way. The arrangements being put in place to deliver, monitor
and evaluate the strategy for sustainable farming and food will contribute to
this wider process of reporting on sustainable development.
The regional dimension
The strategy will only be effective if it makes a real difference at the regional
and local level. In developing the strategy we took evidence from eight
regional seminars held in conjunction with the Government Offices for the
regions. These events allowed people with an interest in farming, food and the
countryside to discuss how best to give effect to the Curry Commission
recommendations. We now need to carry this strong regional dimension
through into the delivery arrangements. Government can set a national
framework, but ultimately it will be for each region to decide how best to take
forward initiatives in their areas, and where regional co-ordination will add
most value, to respond effectively to local needs and opportunities.
To ensure the strategy is delivered effectively, the Government intends to
work with regional stakeholders and organisations in the following way:
the Government Office and the Regional Development Agency (RDA) in
each region will work with stakeholders and organisations in the public,
private and voluntary sectors to draw up a Delivery Plan. These plans will
set out the actions to be taken within the region to give effect to the
Strategy, those involved in the delivery, the timescales on which action will
be taken and the intended outcomes;
in each region, groups representing stakeholders, usually the regional
Rural Affairs Forum, and the Regional Chamber will be consulted on the
preparation of the Delivery Plan and invited to endorse it. They should also
monitor the progress of its implementation. Government Offices will co-
ordinate regular reports of the action being taken, which will be made
widely available to stakeholders and partner organisations; and
the Implementation Group will liaise with regional partners, especially the
Government Office, the RDA and the regional Rural Affairs Forum, to
assist the process of delivery.
A wide range of groups and organisations will need to be involved to make
regional delivery of the strategy the success that we all want to see. Groups
representing the farming and the food chain, notably the FDF, BRC, NFU,
CLA and TFA, will need to engage their members to encourage participation
and response to the strategy. The Regional Chamber and voluntary sector
and Non-Governmental Organisations (e.g. Rural Community Councils,
FWAG, RSPCA, RSPB, local wildlife groups) will be important in engaging the
wider community and helping to deliver parts of the strategy through their
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work. A wide range of public bodies will have important roles to play – among
these are Regional Development Agencies and the Rural Development
Service (RDS) helping diversification and food chain development; local
Learning and Skills Councils and land based colleges with skills development
and training; Business Link with business advice; Health Authorities with
developing the public health agenda; the HSE with farm safety; the
Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission, National Park Authorities, the
Countryside Agency, English Nature and RDS with environmental issues.
Local Authorities will also be essential partners through a range of their work,
on economic development, planning, tourism and education.
Coverage
This is a strategy for English farming and food, but many issues are common
to the whole of the United Kingdom. The Government will work in partnership
with the devolved administrations.
The Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government have agreed
that the animal health and welfare strategy should be a shared strategy for
Great Britain, while recognising the role of the devolved administrations in
their respective parts of the country. Northern Ireland will be closely
associated with the strategy, while developing an all-Island Strategy in
conjunction with the Republic, with whom for some purposes it shares closer
disease control links. In England, the strategy will also develop Defra‟s new
responsibilities for the welfare of companion, recreational and sport animals.
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10 Glossary
ACER Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region
ADER Agricultural Development in the Eastern Region (project)
AGRE Action for Growth in the Rural Economy
AONB Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
AUEE Association of Universities in the East of England
CA Countryside Agency
CABE Citizens Advice Bureaus East
CAP Common Agricultural Policy
CBI Confederation of British Industry
CLA Country Land and Business Association
Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
EAFL East Anglia Food Link
EECN East of England Churches Network
EEDA East of England Development Agency
EERA East of England Regional Assembly
EERAF East of England Rural Affairs Forum
EETB East of England Tourist Board
EN English Nature
ERPHO East Regional Public Health Observatory
FDF Food and Drink Federation
FRESA Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action
GIS Geographic Information System
GO East Government Office for the East of England
HDA Health Development Agency
IDB Internal Drainage Board
IGD Institute of Grocery Distribution
IFS Innovation Facilitation Service
IFR Institute of Food Research
LEA Local Education Authorities
LEP Local Economic Partnership
LSC Learning and Skills Council
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NALMI Norfolk Arable Land Management Initiative
NFU National Farmers Union
NOF New Opportunities Fund
PCTs Primary Care Trusts
RDS Rural Development Service
RII Regional Infrastructure for Innovation
SBS Small Business Service
SDRT Sustainable Development Round Table
SSC Sector Skills Council
SFFS Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
UKIA United Kingdom Irrigation Association
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