Local Foods News (May 18, 2008)

Local foods news from the past week.

Impacts of Climate Change felt by UK Farmers

A survey carried out recently by Farming Futures suggests that more than 50% of farmers in England are already being affected by climate change, and almost half of those interviewed believe that climate change presents more risks than opportunities to their businesses.

The findings include the following:

• All sectors see climate change presenting more risks than opportunities
• Cereal growers see the most opportunities for their businesses
• Beef farmers see the most risks to their business from climate change
• 60% of farmers are worried about increasingly unpredictable weather
• 44% are concerned about flooding
• 34% are nervous of droughts
• Only 6% are concerned about increasing pests and diseases resulting from climate change

Katie Zabel, Farming Futures project manager said:

“The survey results show that English farmers are already affected by climate change and they are starting to take action to both adapt their businesses, and reduce their own impacts.”

The survey results are summarised in this press release, and are available in full here [pdf].

Waitrose Opens New ‘Market-Town’ Stores

UK supermarket chain Waitrose opened the first in a new line of ‘market-town’ stores this week which will focus on stocking local produce. The first store, which opened on Friday in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, is said to herald the eventual opening of up to 100 of the new design shops.

Although some have welcomed the shift in emphasis towards local suppliers and shopping experiences which better reflect the produce from the surrounding area, others remain concerned about the threat posed to independent local shops in town centres.

Mark Price, the Managing Director of Waitrose is quoted by the Guardian saying:

“There is no evidence that the opening of a Waitrose closes down good local butchers and greengrocers. All our evidence shows that when Waitrose comes into a town it creates a food culture in the town.”

More of the new line of local stores are scheduled to open later this summer. More from the Guardian and Channel 4 News.

US Farm Bill Passed by Senate and House of Representatives

The US Farm Bill process edged closer to completion as this week, despite continuing threats of a veto from the President’s Office. The 2007 Bill was passed by the Senate (81-15) on Thursday and by a veto-proof majority by the House of Representatives (318-106), after House republicans abandoned the White House position against the bill.

Some of the issues at stake are summarised in brief in last week’s news. Arguments in favour of a veto coming from the White House include the official line – that the bill is way over budget – and what many suggest is behind this decision – the link between the proposed bill and stalled world trade negotiations.

For more information, have a look at this snapshot of the final bill [pdf] from the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, or this update from the US Farm Policy blog.

For more information