REAL Food and Farming

Archive for the ‘Rural Issues’ Category

Rural economy experts, the CLA are calling for tighter controls over the construction and use of Chinese Lanterns as the wedding season gets into full swing.

The wire framed lanterns – which lift into the air with a lighted candle inside them – have become a popular addition to wedding festivities but the CLA says people need to understand the threat they pose to livestock and to standing crops.

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The Prince of Wales launched a new initiative aimed at increasing demand for British and Commonwealth wool earlier this year. ‘The Wool Project’ will see diverse groups from across the wool sector including textile designers, the carpet and fashion industries work together to improve public awareness of the benefits of this sustainable product.

The Prince of Wales, a long time supporter of upland hill farmers, has long been concerned about the low prices farmers have been receiving for their fleeces. In February 2009 His Royal Highness convened a meeting at Clarence House of representatives of wool producers, the fashion, retail and carpet industries, textile designers and the fire service to see how the problem could be addressed.

Wool grower organisations from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand and others, including Marks and Spencer, will launch a consumer facing campaign in the Autumn that will communicate the advantages of wool to the general public.

‘The Wool Project’ Chairman and Director, Pastoral Alliance (NSA) John Thorley said,

Wool is a sustainable, natural product – the production of which involves far lower carbon emissions than man-made fibres. It is perfect for domestic use as a natural insulator and is naturally fire retardant. We are delighted that The Prince of Wales has helped bring us all together to communicate its many benefits to the public, and help improve the market for sheep farmers across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

REAL Food and Farming, who held Yorkshire’s annual Charity Farmhouse Big Breakfast, have handed over a total of £4,462 to the ARC-Addington Fund, a national aid organisation that helps maintain the economic and social fabric of UK farming communities.

The 2010 event was staged over three days in January at Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses, hosted by on-farm accommodation providers Chris and Christine Ryder.

It was organised and run jointly by REAL Food and Farming and local members of Farm Stay UK, Britain’s biggest network of farm-based accommodation providers.

A total of 164 farmhouse big breakfasts were served up, with Barclays Bank stepping in as main sponsor, coupled with support from local and regional suppliers and individuals. Read the rest of this entry »

The Country Land Association (CLA) has welcomed The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee’s latest report on food security, but says greater effort is needed to get research and development into practice to boost UK farm productivity growth. Read the rest of this entry »