Published: 06 July 2006
One planet farming
A new partnership between farmers and government to shape agriculture for the next decade and beyond has been set out by David Miliband, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Mr Miliband said he wanted 'a shared agenda for farming which could not only tackle some of the world’s biggest environmental challenges, but also deliver prosperity in this country'.
Mr Miliband said:
"Our goal should be to build a profitable, innovative and competitive industry, which helps build sustainable rural communities while making a positive net contribution to the environment and managing risks, especially of animal disease.
A 'one planet' philosophy must be at the heart of a new partnership between farming and government.
We are living as if we had three planets' worth of resources to live with rather than just one.
We need to cut by about two-thirds our ecological footprint.
For that we need one planet farming as well as one planet living - one planet farming which minimises the impact on the environment of food production and consumption, and which maximises its contribution to renewal of the natural environment."
Mr Miliband outlined four guiding principles for the new partnership:
· A long-term view over the next 10 or more years in which the Government will provide a clear framework of funding and policy in return for clear commitments to change from the farming industry.
· Investment linked to reform.
A sensible financial deal shared by Government and farmers.
· More streamlined regulation which is effective, transparent, proportionate and cost-effective.
· System-wide change, especially in the key areas of the food chain and animal health and welfare. The farming industry should share more of the responsibility and costs of controlling animal disease in exchange for a bigger say in how the risks of disease are controlled.
Mr Miliband said he hoped his speech would be the starting point for a debate about the way forward for a shared agenda and his department has set up an online dialogue to receive and respond to comments and questions, taking place between 12.15pm to 1pm on Thursday (July 6th).
Further information
David Miliband’s full speech
Online dialogue
Sustainable food and farming strategy - Defra
Sustainable Development
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