Farming industry has a strong future

WESTCOUNTRY farmers could play a major role in future global food production if the era of "cheap food" ends, according to Cabinet minister Hilary Benn.

The Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was speaking yesterday during a whistlestop tour of Cornwall.

On Monday, Defra said that rising population, climate change and health concerns all meant consumers would have to accept less choice and variety in future.

Mr Benn, who was visiting Tregothnan estate's tea plantation, near Truro, said: "Our strategy will be asking our farmers to produce more in Great Britain and to be more innovative.

"We will be encouraging more people to get involved in the farming industry.

"Britain's agricultural industry has a strong future.

"The world's population will increase from two to three billion over the next 50 years.

"We are going to have to increase our agricultural production to feed all those people."

Mr Benn said that buying local produce would boost the farming industry.

He added: "Everyone has a part to play."

Earlier in the day, Mr Benn visited Newlyn to see the fish market and the morning catch.

He met the Marine and Fisheries Agency inspectors and talked to fishermen involved in a project to collect litter from the sea to stop damage to the marine environment.

The European Union's Common Fisheries Policy dictates fishing quotas and has proved deeply unpopular with Cornwall's fishermen.

The Conservatives have said they would pull out of the policy.

When asked if the Government would do the same, Mr Benn replied that the Common Fisheries Policy was currently under review, adding: "I think it's important to protect our fish stocks."

Andrew George, the Lib-Dem MP for West Cornwall, said: "I welcome the Secretary of State's visit.

"The fishing industry in Newlyn deserves a boost.

"Momentous decisions still have to be taken about the future of the port and I am grateful to the Secretary of State for the attention he has given to our local industry."

Mr Benn also visited Trengwainton Gardens, a National Trust site near Penzance, where he saw work under way to eradicate and control the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, which is more commonly known as sudden oak death.

He said: "Phytophthora ramorum has the potential to damage our much-loved plants and trees.

"It's vital that we take this threat seriously and that's why Defra announced a programme of £25 million funding earlier this year."

Mr Benn added: "It's been useful to see what the team at Trengwainton is doing to combat this disease and keep protecting the trees for everyone to enjoy."

He also stopped off at Varfell Farm in Penzance, where he saw the daffodil bulb operation.

Mr Benn finished off his tour of Cornwall with a visit to the Eden Project near St Austell, where he saw the Defra environmental volunteering campaign van for Muck In4Life.

The van is travelling around the region in a bid to get families involved in conservation work.

Today, Mr Benn's tour was due to continue in Devon where he is expected to visit Brimpts Farm, a hill farm on Dartmoor, to see beef cattle and diversification moves.

The visit will end with a trip to Haldon Forest Park, near Exeter, to see the work of the Forestry Commission.