Prince Charles urges farms to back Future of Farming Week

Prince Charles has added his backing the Future of Farming Week (16-22 March) being run by Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF).

The Prince of Wales said the initiative would, hopefully, encourage farmers to help secure a sustainable future for UK farming.

“For many farmers, changing to more environmentally friendly practices seems to be a daunting challenge. But by starting with simple measures I hope you will see that these changes are possible,” he said.

“In this way we will, ultimately, have a healthy, efficient sustainable food and farming sector here in Great Britain.”

The Future of Farming Week is about getting farmers to adopt Integrated Farm Management techniques and join LEAF as a member. The organisation has already signed up Suffolk pig farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty.

Farmers are being urged to take the LEAF audit to help them spot business opportunities and put threats into perspective.

The audit is a whole-farm business management tool, designed to help producers prioritise decisions and make meaningful changes to farm practices. It is also an excellent way to demonstrate a farm’s environmental responsibility to those that they deal with.

“All we are asking is for farmers to set aside a little time to explore what benefits IFM holds for them and then take at least one step towards building a better future for the entire industry,” said LEAF chief executive Caroline Drummond.

“LEAF members are respected as some of the most forward-thinking farmers in the country, which results in our achieving a supportive ear for farming from policy makers in Westminster and Brussels, and from the public through Open Farm Sunday and the LEAF Marque. Imagine what we can achieve with an even stronger membership base.”