Devon Farming & Food Board
Membership and Terms of Reference
Devon Sustainable Farming and Food Action Plan
Local Food
New Opportunities
Quality
Sustainable Landscapes
Meeting Minutes
The Devon Farming and Food Board is a sub group of the DRN who represent the interests of the farming and land-based sector in Devon and work towards becoming a strategic countywide forum to address the main issues affecting the industry.
The group is governed by an agreed Terms of Reference
Devon Sustainable Farming and Food Action Plan
The Sustainable Farming and Food Action Plan was produced in January 2005 and forms the basis for the continuation of the groups work. All aspects of sustainable farming and food are covered under sxi themes:
- local food
- collaboration
- sustainable landscapes
- quality
- new opportunities
- co-ordination and promoting understanding
Devon's Sustainable Farming and Food (SFF) initiatives support the vision of the South West's SFF Delivery Plan 'Changing landscapes changing outlooks' 2008-11, for a profitable sustainable farming and food sector. For more information telephone 01392 878334, email enquiries@swcore.co.uk or visit the website www.swcore.co.uk.
Local Food
There are a number of issues identified in the action plan around food production, supply chains, developing markets and promoting awareness.
- There is disconnection along the food chain with farmers capturing less of the retail spend
- A large proportion of produce offered in the larger retialers is imported with few opportunities for smaller, local producers to compete
- There is an increasing interest in local food but barriers still remain, predominantly price, distribution and consistancy of supply
- There is a greater emphasis on healthy eating as part of a healthier lifestyle
There are also a huge number of projects and initiatives nationally, regionally and locally aimed at overcoming the above issues. It is important to get the most out of these but to avoid duplication.
The aim of this chapter in the action plan is to develop a local food economy based on sustainable production methods, transparency along the supply chain and a local food culture that celebrates what Devon has to offer.
Activities
RAFAEL (Renaissance of Atlantic Food Authenticity & Economic Links)
*This programme ended in 2008* RAFAEL was a three year European Interreg (EU funded programme that helped Europe's regions form partnerships to work together on common projects) project aimed at promoting 'authentic' Devon food through the unique characteristics of the Atlantic Arc area. It worked with a number of partners in Spain, Portugal, France, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and developed trade links with these countries.
The primary aim of the RAFAEL project in Devon was to work with schools and school meal providers to encourage the use of local food in school kitchens.
Through the RAFAEL project a set of display boards have been developed to promote Devon food and drink, seasonaility, local food, and healthy eating. These are colourful, informative boards that can be used at events, seminars, food fairs, and open days.
For further information about the RAFAEL project, please visit its website at http://ns22870.ovh.net/~rafaeleu/-English-.html.
South West FEDS (Food & Drink Enterprise Development Scheme)
A project launched by South West Food and Drink providing one to one specialist advice to Food and Drink businesses in Devon, initially for a 6 month pilot period, free of charge. FEDS aimed to support new and existing businesses across a wide range of topics, including market development, legislation and regulation, labelling and branding, and consumer research.
For further information about South West Food and Drink and its various projects, please visit www.southwestfoodanddrink.com.
Lover the Flavour
LovetheFlavour is a website promoting the use of local food and drink in the tourism and hospitality sector in Devon. It hosts a whole load of useful information around farmers markets, local producers, local attractions, farm shops, eating out guides and recipes, along with information for producers, with details about training courses and other support. For futher information, please see www.lovetheflavour.co.uk.
Ruby Country
Ruby Country is the name given to the agricultural hinterland of north-west Devon, UK. A relatively deprived area, it covers 45 inland parishes around the market towns of Holsworthy and Hatherleigh. It is a coordintated by the Ruby Country Partnership (a not for profit company limited by guarantee) working to develop a stronger and more robust local economy, with a particular emphasis on developing sustainable tourism and promoting local food and drink. Activities vary from providing training and practical help to local businesses, to marketing the area and promoting local food and drink, to developing and maintaining walking and cycling routes.
New Opportunities
"Ensure a diverse, vibrant and economically productive farming and land based industry in Devon by providing opportunities for all people"
Rural Skills and Training
There are a large number if organisations offering training to people in rural areas in traditional and non traditional subjects, from hedgelaying and cahinsawing to ICT and marketing
LANTRA
Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for the environment and land based sector, offering advice on courses, skills, qualifications and funding. Visit www.lantra.co.uk for further information.
AgriBIP
Part of West Devon Business Information Point, AgriBIP offers a wide range of training courses covering all aspects of agricultural and rural business. Courses are flexible in their approach and are either free of charge or heavily subsidised. Please visit www.bipwestdevon.biz for further information.
WestDEN (West Devon Environmental Network)
WestDEN offers a range of training opportunities through its Rural Skills Project aimed at people over 30 living in West and North Devon, Torridge and South Hams. It is aimed at those who are self employed or work in small businesses across the land based sector. For further information, please visit www.westden.co.uk.
Funding
Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013 (RDPE)
The RDPE provides the framework for the delivery of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development fro, 2007 to 2013 in England. The RDPE has four priority axes for rural development.
Three axes focus on the delivery of the programme:
Axis 1 - Improving competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors
This is led by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and will consist largely of comissioned projects on a regional or sub-regional scale, however there will be some scopefor grant making on a smaller scale.
Axis 2 - Improving the environment and the countryside
This will be led by Natural England and the Forestry Commission and will include Environmental Stewardship schemes.
Axis 3 - Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity
This is led by the SWRDA and will include a mixture of commissioned projects and grant making. Half the money in this axis will be delivered through axis 4 Local Action.
In addition, 5% of the EU funding in the Programme budget will be delivered through the 'Leader Approach' (Axis 4), which is a community based delivery mechanism.
The SWRDA is responsible for delivering Axes 1,3 and 4 in South West England. Axis 2 will be delivered by Natural England and the Forestry Commission. This Axis accounts for 80% of the programme's funding.
The budget for the delivery of Axes 1,3 and 4 in the South West is £152.5 million over the Programme period. Of this amount, £55 million has been reserved for investments benefiting Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in recognition of its status as a Convergence area.
The South West Regional Implementation Plan (SWRIP) identifies six priorities and eight distinct investment "themes" to address these priorities. Seven of these relate specifically to the socio-economic elements of the Programme:
| Investment Theme | Commissioning |
| Skills Development | Rural Skills Network/Enterprise Skills Development Grant |
| Business Support | SW Rural Enterprise Gateway |
| Supply Chain/added value | SWMeat Infrastructure Initiative |
| Resource Management | Natural England/Environment Agency |
| Social Enterprise | Summer 2008 |
| Sustainable Rural Tourism | Direct Commissioning by SWRDA |
| Community-led Development | Local Action [4 bids submitted in Devon] |
For further information on the RDPE please visit www.southwestrda.org.uk/what-we-do/regeneration/eafrd/introduction.shtm
Rural Women's Groups
WIRE
Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) is a networking and business support club that aims to help rural women to develop and promote their enterprises. WiRE offers a range of services, including events, workshops, an annual conference, on line advice, and an online market place for members. For further information, please visit www.wireuk.org.
Women's Farming Union (WFU)
A nationwide voluntary organisation founded in 1979 which aims to promote a better understanding of British agriculture and supporting the use of local food. For further information, please visit www.wfu.org.uk.
Quality
"For all farming and land based businesses to be aware of the market, to produce to the highest quality, and to make use of tools such as benchmarking, demonstration businesses and best practice to ensure a viable future for their enterprises and to contribute to the Devon Brand".
In an increasingly competitive market place all land based businesses must be aware of what the consumer demands, and strive to offer the best quality product or service for that market.
There are a number of ways that businesses can do this - through branding schemes and quality assurance initiatives, benchmarking, and learning from other businesses.
EBLEX Better Returns Programme
This 2 year programme for English sheep producers aims to provide them with the information, skills and knowledge needed to secure better market returns.
There are three main areas:
- Better Breeding
- Better Lamb Selection
- Better Price Information
For more information go to www.eblex.org.uk/betterReturns.
Farm Business Benchmarking Online
This online programme allows farm businesses to compare the results from their businesses with those from the Farm Business Survey. Financial Data can be compared with other farms of a similar size and scale.
For more information, please visit www.defra.gov.uk/farm/working/advice/documents/benchmark-online.pdf and www.farmbusinesssurvey.co.uk/benchmarking/Default.aspx/
Sustainable Landscapes
"A Devon landscape that offers opportunities to explore diverse profitable land use that delivers sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits for all".
One of the key messages to come out of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms was that our countryside is no longer just a place where livestock are grazed and crops are grown. For many it is no longer financially viable to continue their current farming enterprises and they must look to their assests for other opportunities. This may come in the form of Environmental Stewardship, far diversification into tourism or leisure, access and educational initiatives, or alternative products such as biofuels, traditional and rare breed animals, exploitation of new niche markets and adaptation to climate, or adding value to meat and milk.
Farmers are more likely to become known in the future as countryside managers and this role must be recognised in economic as well as social and environmental terms.
Current Activities
South West Forest *This project was completed in March 2009*
This is an integrated rural development project covering 30,000 hectares in North Devon and Cornwall. Its principle aim is to increase the are of new and managed woodland, but also encompasses a range of other rural initiatives. These include community and education programmes such as Walking for Health, manageing the wild deer population, climate change mitigation, tourism opportunities, lifestyle enhancement, and networking. South West Forest is currently in the process of becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee. For further information, please visit their website www.southwestforest.org.uk.
Agri Environment
In 2005, the Environmental Stewardship Schemes (ESS) was introduced in England as the successor to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme (ESA), Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and Organic Farming Scheme. ESS has 3 separate schemes - Entry Level Stewardship, Higher Level Stewardship, and Organic Entry Level Stewardship. For further information, please visit www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm.
Upland Farming
Following the CAP reform, there are increasing concerns over the future viability of many of Devon's uplpand and hill farms. The Single Farm Payment will be significantly lower than previous direct support payments linked to production and in an increasingly competitive market it will be very difficult for those in Less Favoured Areas to compete.
Defra consulted on the future of the Uplands Reward Strcuture and a successor to the current Hill Farming Allowance, to which DRN responded. As summary of responses can be seen on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk/rural/uplands/consultation/uplands-final.pdf.
DRN has continued to look at ways to continue supporting those who farm in disadvantaged areas.
The David Arnold Foster Trust
The Trust was launched in 2003 in honour of a highly regarded man, David Arnold Foster. His work has helped to both promote the importnace of sustainable upland hill farming.and support this critical sector of the farming industry. The aim of the Trust is to continue David's work in promoting sustainable upland farming and informing the public as to the issues around hill farming and agriculture. The Trusts annual hill farming awards recognise outstanding contributions to hill farming. For further information please visit www.hillfarming.org.uk.
Farm Waste Management
From May 2006, the new Agricultural Waste Regulations came into force, preventing any burning or burying of waste on farms. Farmers must also employ a duty of care when it comes to the disposal of waste. A waste recycling directory has been produced to help businesses identify waste management companies in their area, visit www.wasterecycling.org.uk for more details. For further information on the regulations and controls concerning waste, please visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/awsf
Devon Wildlife Trust Biomass Opportunities Statement
Devon Wildlife Trust have produced an Opportunities Statement for Miscanthus and Woodfuels in Devon. Fusing together environmental data and land use potential, the statement advises on the scale of opportunity for the establishment and management in Devon. The statement forms the basis for a practical working tool designed to inform furture land use decisions, evalute the impacts of land-use change and develop best practice guidance. For further details, contact Lynne Kenderdine at lkenderdine@devonwildlifetrust.org.
Renewable Energy 4 Devon
This is a rural productivity and renewable energy sector development programme. It maximises the opportunities for local economic benefits and business growth amongst renewable energy companies within rural Devon while assisting SMEs with reducing costs, improve productivity and credibility through the installation of smaller scale RE technologies.
This is through a one-shop of advice, mentoring and grants to improve the overall demand for RE technology across the sectors and by supporting RE business in rural Devonto provide high quality and appropriate services.
For further details call 0800 512012 email energy@re4d.org or visit www.re4d.org
Minutes
Please note that these minutes are for the previous Sustainable Farming and Food Reference Group, NOT the Farming and Food Board9 November 2007 19 July 2007 23 September 2005 25 May 2005
