back to menuWhile writing this, cases of Foot and Mouth disease continue to occur, though, thankfully, far fewer than only a month ago. Nevertheless the image of the countryside is a ravaged one, with no animals in the fields and smoking pyres of stinking carcasses or burial trenches leaking poisonous liquid into the water supply. In most of the countryside nothing could be further from the truth, but, as the Government experts have said, it could have been much worse.
It is, perhaps, a good idea now to look into the future and consider some informative and constructive points about cattle rearing from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG):
As residents and visitors to Britain alike will testify, a significant portion of our cultural heritage is found in our countryside. The images of sweeping cornfields and grazing cattle meandering through flower rich grassland easily spring to mind when dreaming forward to summer. Although it appears a permanent scene, in reality every facet of our picture-book countryside is under threat - and not always from the much maligned farmer. Threats also come from the regulations he is obliged to follow.
Farmers keen to seek advice on environmental improvement need look no further than the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. Concern for the environment, and the 80% of Britain's land which is under commercial production, prompted a number of farmers and conservationists to form the organisation in 1969. Since its inception a strong, local base has developed comprising over 1,000 volunteers, around half of whom are farmers. Over the last 30 years FWAG has raised awareness amongst the farming community of the benefits of environmental improvement and the success of this campaign is demonstrated by the growth in full time advisory staff to the current level of 85 and the demand for farm visits which increased to an all time high of some 6,500 in 1998/99.
The beef producer is just one type of farmer who seeks FWAG's advice. The grassland meadows feeding their cattle today may not appear to be that different from the scene which would have greeted our forebears. The fields are often relatively small, hedges are still in place and there are still some trees on the horizon, not exactly the perceived "prairie" image of the crop producing farmland. The experienced eye, nevertheless, will tell you that all is not what it seems - our ancient grassland, which supports a wide range of plants hosting a diverse insect, bird and mammal population, is at risk.
Following the much publicised BSE crisis regulations were brought in by the previous Government to ensure that the consumer was protected at all costs from a recurrence of the situation. One of the changes was a maximum age limit of 30 months for the slaughter of beef animals for human consumption, a restriction which altered the system under which farmers had previously raised their stock. This change, however, has had a knock-on effect on the environment.
Flower rich pasture was originally created by low intensity grazing which encouraged and maintained a rich native flora on unimproved ground. Before the BSE crisis, when farmers were finishing their beef cattle over a period longer than 30 months this unimproved vegetation provided adequate feed for cattle as they fattened themselves slowly. The introduction of the 30 month rule has brought with it the need to finish cattle in a shorter time scale and unimproved grassland is not nutritious enough to fatten the younger beast quickly. The farmer who wants to continue in beef production is faced with two alternatives: supplement feeding in the form of concentrates or improve the quality of grazing by using fertiliser. In times of economic hardship the farmer is forced to chose the cheapest option - normally fertilise the field. This change to the ecosystem causes the grasses which relish higher nutritional levels to grow strongly, encroaching and choking the smaller flowers and blocking out their light supply. A third option for the farmer would be to give up beef production and leave the meadows ungrazed, which would see the land eventually turn to scrub.
The introduction of the 30 month rule, coupled with stringent regulations on feed ingredients, has markedly reduced the risk of BSE contaminated beef. Talks are now underway to consider a raising of the maximum slaughter age to 36 months. As detailed earlier such an increase would certainly have a beneficial impact on our ancient grassland, but there are many other advantages to consider. Older, less active cattle are especially suited to grazing small or difficult sites, they are also more worm resistant and are less likely to require drug treatment, therefore reducing the impact on the ecosystem that worming solutions can produce. A longer finishing system would also suit our traditional beef breeds, such as the Lincoln Red and Longhorn, breeds which are integral to our British heritage and in risk of decline. These breeds are particularly suited to a longer grazing period on the unimproved forage which they can convert into meat at a greater slaughter weight without getting too fat.
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group is not a pressure group and does not lobby government but its practical farmer links means it can inform from a unique position. Adjustment to the 30 month beef rule could make a positive and sizeable impact on Britain's ancient grassland and FWAG and the farming community look forward to a reassessment of the regulations to help us achieve our environmental objectives. And by continuing to purchase British beef, consumers can also play a vital role in the preservation of our ancient grassland and the subsequent appearance of our much loved countryside.
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