£2.5m for advice service (From Gazette & Herald)

£2.5m for advice service

FARMERS and the food industry need to work in partnership with the Government towards a sustainable, prosperous and world-class food sector, Secretary of State Margaret Beckett told the annual conference of the NFU on Tuesday.

She also announced an extra £2.5m for the Farm Business Advice Service, which helps farmers boost profitability and explore opportunities for diversification. The new money means that another 3,000 farmers will be able to take up the service, and takes the total budget this year to £5m.

Mrs Beckett's spoke of some of the farming industry's specific concerns, including welcoming European Commission proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy but expressing her determination to get a fair deal for the UK.

On other issues, she:

welcomed the Office of Fair Trading's commitment to keep the Code of Practice on Supermarkets under continuous review

announced the development of a bovine TB strategy for Great Britain this year

made a commitment to develop priorities for sustainable food procurement across the public sector

agreed to work with the industry to develop better and smarter approaches to regulation.

Updated: 10:23 Wednesday, February 19, 2003