Dear Customer
The introduction of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has encouraged farmers to reduce the
amount of cereals grown in the UK in favour of investing in environmental practices. When this is
coupled with low grain prices and high production costs, we could see a dramatic fall in cereal
production in the UK, which would have a significant impact on our food security.
In the 1980’s we imported approximately 30% of our food from abroad, but today this has risen to
more than 40%. As cereal production decreases, the UK’s reliance on imported cereals will likely
increase, making the food supply more vulnerable to disruptions in global markets. This shift could
strain domestic food production and make the UK more susceptible to price fluctuations and
supply chain challenges, particularly in the face of external factors like climate change, trade
issues, or geopolitical instability. The UK is already grappling with the challenges of feeding a
growing population coupled with facing a decline in domestic agricultural output, so the reduced
cereal production under the SFI scheme may exacerbate food insecurity, putting more pressure on
the country's ability to produce essential foods.
There is also a huge disconnect between food production and the consumer. There is simply no
understanding of the scale of investment, the hours of work in all weathers and the processes that
are required to put enough food on the table to feed 65 million people every day of the year.
Whilst sitting down to Sunday lunch with my family, which is a popular past time in pubs, cafes and
restaurants up and down the country, I wondered just how much food is involved in this meal. If,
for example, we say that ten million people sat down to eat Sunday lunch (only 15% of the
population) what would that look like in tonnes of beef, potatoes and greens?…………
………. A mere week, and several worn out calculators later, a conservative estimate is that we
would be getting through a staggering 1,500 tonnes of beef (53 lorry loads), 2,000 tonnes of
potatoes (71 lorry loads) and about 1,000 tonnes of greens (35 lorry loads).
Now forgive me if this may not be accurate to the last potato, (I wasn’t sure just how hungry you
may be), but it does demonstrate just how massive the task is to feed just one sixth of the
population one meal on one day. Bearing in mind that this needs to be repeated every day for 65
million hungry people and the scale of the task begins to take shape.
We are fortunate indeed to live in a country that is one of the most abundant food producers in
the world. So why are we not building up our production to reduce our reliance on imported food,
which will only be available for as long as the countries we import from have a surplus to export.
Added to this, we are now being told that we have no way to protect the 40% of imported food,
much of which is brought here by ship from abroad, from attack by malicious forces. It turns out
that, due to thirty years of massive underspending on defence our armed forces are woefully
inadequate. I do not understand how this is a policy for food security.
To add insult to injury the government, by bringing in the “farm tax”, have made it even more
difficult for young farmers to take over the family farm. We need to be encouraging more young
people to come into this industry, not forcing them to look elsewhere for their livelihoods. It is
essential that the farming industry shows those in power just how essential this industry is to the
health and prosperity of this country. To allow British farming to decline, even in the smallest
degree is to my mind nothing short of a criminal act.
You will be pleased to note that my rant is over (well for the moment) I just need to point out to
you some changes in South West Seeds.
Stephen Kettle is sadly hanging up his clogs and is retiring back to Shropshire. We thank him for
helping us to build up the seed business and we wish him a very happy retirement.
We are joined by Simon Matthews who will take over some of Stephen’s role particularly with
regards to forage and grass seeds, He is a hugely enthusiastic fellow who has a passion for all
things farming. Welcome Simon!
New for 2025: We now have a seed mixing plant so we can create bespoke seed mixes, arable
silage mixtures to your specification and Pheasant feed mixes. We will also be building sales of
certain sprays, fertiliser, foliar feeds and silage additives.
This letter should have arrived with a brochure! If not let us know. If it did, then please sit down
with a cup of coffee or tea and spend some time perusing the pages which have been lovingly put
together by Amy, my daughter.
Finally, if you want good news these days it would seem that you have to make it up yourself, after
all the politicians do!
So, here is a GOOD NEWS FLASH!
At 06.30 this morning Elon Musk launched the first flying battery powered car (a Tesla of course) to
fly to Mars. Elon took charge of the mission and is driving the car himself using only an implanted
chip in his knee. Also joining him on the epic journey are Donald Trump and his very good friend
Mr Putin, who will be in charge of military strategy. Also joining the intrepid trio is special guest,
Rachel Reeves, who is going along to work out some of the very complicated sums that are needed
to pay entry tax on Mars.
NEWS JUST IN:
Sadly, the Tesla ran out of charge and caught fire not long after passing the moon and is now
hurtling through space on course for the planet Looney where it is thought, subject to a safe
landing they will all feel very much at home. A worldwide rescue fund has been created which has
raised £12 4s 6d. Sadly, there is no hope of them ever returning to the planet Earth. How awfully
sad!!!
Wishing you all a very healthy and prosperous year ahead and we look forward to seeing you at
the shows.
With kind regards,
Richard Jones
