Editorial

Citation

(1999), "Editorial", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 99 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.1999.01799baa.001

Editorial

A new report which lays the foundations for a more efficient and environmentally friendly system of farming was recently launched by Countryside Minister, Elliot Morley. The report was the result of over £1 million of research and produces firm evidence that farms which adopt integrated crop management (ICM) can combine profitable farming with improving the state of the environment. ICM is a whole farm approach aiming to provide the basis for efficient and profitable production which is economically viable and environmentally responsible. It is achieved through a whole farm approach which involves combining crop rotation with the targeted use of crop protection chemicals and fertilisers, cultivation choice, variety selection and improved energy efficiency together with a positive management plan for landscape and wildlife features.

The research was funded by Government and industry and its results address the practical aspects of environmental farming. Its conclusions provide consistent evidence which shows that by caring for the environment farmers can produce efficient and profitable enterprises.

An additional £2 million investment into environmentally friendly farming has also been announced. This will boost expenditure on Countryside Stewardship. This scheme offers payment to farmers and others with an interest in the land to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside under ten year agreements. The scheme's national targets are chalk and limestone grassland, lowland heath, waterside land, coast, uplands, historic landscapes and features, old orchards, old meadows and pastures, field boundaries such as walls, ditches and hedgerows, uncropped margins in arable fields and countryside around towns. The scheme operates throughout England and any individual or body managing suitable land is eligible to apply.

Increased use of inorganic fertilisers and the switch from spring to winter sown crops and from hay to silage are farming changes most closely correlated with declining numbers of some species of farmland birds over the past 25 years. The reduction in spring sowing of cereals may cause population declines amongst seed eating birds because food-rich stubbles are not left over the winter when autumn crops are sown.

Agricultural activity is also responsible for 8per cent of the UK's total emission of greenhouse gases. Agriculture causes a high proportion of the two most important non-carbon dioxide gases ­ nitrous oxide and methane (58 per cent and 28 per cent of UK emissions respectively). MAFF's research and development programme on greenhouse gas emissions started in 1990. The review covered research undertaken in the last three years. Topics included a study of the methane emissions from the rumens of cattle and sheep and laboratory methods to assess the methane production potential of animal feeds containing different proportions of concentrates and silage. Methane production was shown to be reduced by covering slurry tanks or anaerobically digesting animal waste. Dung and more particularly urine patches in the field are important sources of nitrous oxide. New research will include reviewing the effects of cultivation, crop residues and other organic material on nitrous oxide losses.

Commercial animal diets are generally optimised for productivity rather than environmental performance. Animals in intensive systems tend to receive concentrates which contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The nutrients in protein rich diets cannot be fully absorbed by the animal so excess nitrogen and phosphorus are excreted in animal manure and urine. This is harmless for the animal but can increase nutrient pollution of air and water. Low protein diets for pigs have been shown to reduce nitrogen excretion by 44 per cent and ammonia emissions from housing by 50 per cent.

The countryside of the future needs to be based on sustainable rural development but the future for the farming industry in the light of CAP reforms must be greener and more environmentally friendly.