Opinion: Farmers need to help shape a better future
© Lightfield Studios/Adobe Stock What makes a good Opinion piece? I think it is one that listens to the mood of the industry, uses it to raise awareness, and challenges the status quo.
But, while we live in a world where it is acceptable to be bold, to share your thoughts, even if it hurts those who are the target, I don’t feel that “attack” is the best way to improve, or indeed build, a more successful society.
See also: AHDB calls on levy payers to register now for spring vote
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Those individuals that are trying to work for our benefit quite rightly distance themselves, or take a more cautious approach, because they fear criticism, when boldness is needed.
We fight for democracy and want to have a say on every aspect of our industry, often voting with our hearts rather than facts.
This can, and has, resulted in the loss of support and research that is so valuable to our sector.
A recent example of this is with the potato and horticulture levy ballot. If not the AHDB, who does the industry expect to fill the R&D and market support gap?
Rather than collapsing the AHDB, would it not have been far better if the small, loud faction who have driven upheaval had used their efforts to reform the services to meet the sector’s needs?
In a way, though, the uprising has fostered change. The AHDB has had to listen, and recently launched its “Shape the Future” consultation, to allow all levy payers to share their views on what its priorities should be in the future.
But for some sectors it is too late. You just have to wonder, if the energy spent lobbying for the removal of the AHDB from the potato and horticulture sectors had been expended on reform, what opportunities might have lain ahead?
I am not suggesting for a minute that we should suppress our views and not have a voice.
I am proud to say that I was one of the 109 complainants who reported oat drink manufacturer Oatly to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) last year, because I felt its branding was misleading and unjustified.
I therefore welcomed the outcome, when the ASA upheld these concerns. At the time, I was heartened to see the huge outcry and condemnation of the company on social media.
It was right that we aired our views and that we were vindicated.
Farmers are often apt to moan – about their levy boards, the government, assurance schemes, their local union branch, agricultural or breed societies, as well as the press and media.
And yet, how many of those voicing concerns are actually doing something about it?
I want to see more people putting themselves forward to join a board, to articulate their thoughts in sector consultations, to attend union branch meetings to discuss ways forward, or even simply writing an email to express their views.
We want our industry to be seen as progressive and forward-thinking. We want the UK to be known for its excellent standards and high quality.
We want to be competitive and, in a world outside of the EU, to stand on our own two feet.
We must look at the bigger picture, rather than focusing on any failings in our industry bodies.
They are working for us, so let’s look at what benefits they bring. They can always do better, and just maybe you’re the individual who will help them do that.