2 UK Farming Flashcards
What is the recent history of UK farming?
For 45 we have been under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy
What impact has this had?
Environment has deteriorated, productivity has been held back and public health compromised
Extent of agriculture in the UK?
> 70% of land use in the UK
What is the new policy post Brexit?
Gove will incentivises new habitats for wildlife, increased biodiversity, reduced flood risk, improved air quality etc
What institutional changes have happened recently?
DEFRA have cut the budgets of (40%) and taking staff from (>400 members) from the EA and Natural England in order to work on Brexit
How has this directly impacted the environment?
Some work e.g. flood protection, has been prioritised over others e.g. protection of protected sites (SSSIs)
There has been a significant fall in condition of SSSIs
What was the cost of greenhouse gas emissions from UK agriculture in 2015?
$3.1 billion
How much has ammonia emissions cost?
£456 million in 2015
What is the annual external cost to farmers from soil erosion and compaction in 2010?
£305 million
What are the farming trade implications of Brexit on the UK?
Increased trade with the US - don’t have the same welfare regulations
What is the hormone used in pig farming in the US?
Ractopamine - promotes growth in pigs but causes lameness, stiffness, trembling and shortness of breath
How much is the UK food and drink economy worth?
£112 billion
What are sow stalls/gestration crates?
Metal enclosure used to hold pregnant pigs still
When was ractopamine banned in the EU?
1998
When were sow stalls banned in the UK?
1999
What will the influx of US meat mean?
Undercut prices of UK produced farm products
What are the main animal welfare failures of the EU farming industry?
Inherent system failures Live animal transport EU farms too small to be included Slow response to EU guidance Slaughter house processes
Where are UK in the top countries for animal welfare?
4th
Agricultural employment in the UK?
Employs 1.5% of the UK workforce (500,000 people)
How is meat eating changing in the UK public?
Meat farmers are a dying breed (George Monbiot)
41% of meat eaters identify as flexitarian
What is Gove’s vision for future generations?
Gove wants to attract more graduates to the industry, as technologies transform new opportunities for new jobs and gove will create more apprenticeships
What will nano-sensors used for?
Collect soil and moisture data
What will robots be used for?
Labour intensive tasks e.g. fruit harvesting and picking
How does CAP work?
Pays farmers based on the total area of farm owned
