Breadcrumbs
Eat the View News Update (10/12/04)
Making links between local products and landscapes: Branding Forum 2004 report
Report detailing the proceedings of the Protected Areas Branding Forum conference in October organised by the Countryside Agency's Eat the View programme in association with the Peak District National Park Authority. The report contains the abstracts and presentations from the two speakers: Angela Tregear of the School of Food, Agriculture and Rural Development at Newcastle University, and Robert Deane of Land Use Consultants. Also, the summaries, presentations and key points from the workshops including the Blackdown Hills, Cotswolds, Chilterns, Peak District, and the Surrey Hills. To download a copy of the report click here.
Crafts in the English Countryside: Towards a Future
Supported by the Countryside Agency, the first major study of the rural crafts for over 80 years fills a gap in knowledge about the crafts which are so important to the English countryside and rural economies. Many ancient crafts have been lost or just survive, however the study also shows a growing interest in the crafts. Crafts in the English Countryside: Towards a Future (CA 200) is on sale at £20.00. A free summary version of the report, English Rural Crafts, Today and Tomorrow (CA 201) is also available. Contact: 0870 120 6466 or see: www.craftsintheenglishcountryside.org.uk
Defra 5-year strategy
The Government has published Defra's 5-year strategy which pledges to help farmers to become sustainable land managers. The document, which has been welcomed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, says that Defra needs farmers to produce and make products with less impact on the environment. It also states that farmers need to connect better with consumers and their local communities, for example by supplying the growing demand for nutritious, local, regional and organic foods. Also that closer links with tourism and other local small business sectors can provide opportunities for farmers to develop new ventures and connect with local initiatives. Source: Defra see: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/5year-strategy/index.htm
Boel focuses on quality
Focusing on quality food production and persuading consumers to pay more for it are the keys to farming's survival, according to new EC farm commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel "I see a future for EU agriculture, but it is important to deliver high quality, added value products. On bulk commodities we cannot compete with Brazil" Mrs Fischer Boel said she was confident consumers could be persuaded to pay more for quality. She pointed towards the increasing number of shoppers in her home country of Denmark who were buying direct from farmers. Source: Farmers Weekly.
Thames Valley local food
Local food lovers in the Thames Valley can find out everything they need to know about local food in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire on-line at the new local food website: www.local-food.net
Beef taste guidelines
The English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) has released a report with eleven recommendations to produce the best flavoured beef, based on research by Bristol University, including avoiding extremely lean or over fat animals, minimising pre-slaughter stress, and excluding fish oils from finishing diets. Source: The Grocer.
Food and farming awards
Winners of Radio 4's Food and Farming Awards 2004 include Mike Smylie, aka 'Kipperman', for Best Food Campaigner, Ron McKenzie, Head of Catering, NHS Darlington Memorial Hospital and Ian Woodhouse, Chef, Stoke City Council for Best 'Dinner Lady', and Bondgate Bakery, Otley, West Yorkshire as Best Local Food Retailer. Source: BBC - www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/foodawards2004.shtml
EVENTS
6-9 January 2005, Organic Farming, Food Quality and Health, the Soil Association's annual conference, Newcastle upon Tyne
This year's Soil Association's annual conference will include the European Union Project 'Quality Low Input Food' and will bring together scientists and producers, encouraging debates about the future direction of research as well as discussions around standards, policy and farming practice. To book go to: www.soilassociation.org/conference and for further details call 0117 314 5000.
22 January 2005, The Future of Food: An afternoon to Discuss Organic, Local & Tasty Food on a Tasty Planet!
With Vandana Shiva of Bija, the School of the Seed; Jerry Mander, Director of the International Forum on Globalisation; Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University; Dr. Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP; Colin Tudge, author of 'So Shall We Reap' and Satish Kumar, Editor of Resurgence Magazine. Contact: Peter Lang on 0208 809 2391 or peterlang@resurgence.org
7 February 2005, Savour the Wye
A conference on local food for tourism outlets and producers in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and the Forest of Dean organised by Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Contact: Wye Valley AONB on 01600 710841.
