Norfolk and Suffolk Agri-Food Industry Council

Tuesday 14 December 2021 10.30-12.30

Via Teams

Minutes

Welcome from the Chair

Corrienne Peasgood, the Chair, welcomed members and introduced the meeting. Minutes of the last

Industry Council meeting (21 September) were approved.

State of the nation: Norfolk & Suffolk farming & food update.

• Natasha Waller – Skills

• Cath Crowther – CLA & rural business matters

• Ben Turner – machinery & other inputs

• Andrew Francis – crop production & land management

• Phillip Ainsworth & Mark Nicholas – agricultural associations (written update)

Skills – Natasha Waller

• The skills group met at the beginning of December. The group has monitored the situation

regarding sector labour and skills shortages and in October we led the collation and

submission of evidence to the EFRA Select Committee inquiry. Several group members

provided case history information and we contextualised this against regional sector data. Our

submission was sent to local MPs and received local media coverage. We await the

Committee’s report, although we get reports that short term tactical fixes have yet to make any

real impact.

• The more strategic issue is the longer-term consequences on certain sub-sectors where

structural change will occur. These will have knock on effects to the future skills and careers

landscape.

• The Skills Advisory Panel is reinvigorating support for careers inspiration, reskilling and

upskilling.

• The agri-food sector skills project conducted by City College Norwich (CCN) for Norfolk County

Council will report early in 2022.

• Progressing towards a launch in 2022 for a new Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH)

in England (DEFRA and industry funded) to provide an independent professional framework

and clear career paths and progression opportunities in the sector.

• CCN (Easton) have briefed on the ESF Curriculum Development programme which is just

starting and involves all of our FE Colleges – this includes area deep dives, which will be useful

for developing the agri-food curriculum.

• The LEP’s sub-boards (Industry Councils, Innovation Board and Skills Advisory Panel) meet

regularly and have discussed how sectors can use innovation to generate solutions to their

skills challenges.

CLA and rural business matters – Cath Crowther

• The CLA is working to ensure that rural areas are not ignored in the levelling up agenda.

Opportunities have been highlighted through the ‘rural powerhouse’ campaigns. The CLA is

providing the secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group on the rural powerhouse and its

inquiry into rural productivity – a report is due to be published in February.

• Lots of work taking place around the agricultural transition, with the move away from the Basic

Payment Scheme, which has been reduced this month. Some of the details on the Sustainable

Farming Incentive were announced at the Rural Business Conference in early December.

Continuing to push Government for clarity as new schemes develop.

• Farming rules for water is still an issue – the Environment Agency (EA) is stopping the

application of manures in digestate in the Autumn, which conflicts with Defra’s policy of

enhancing soil organic matter. The CLA is part of a cross-industry working group and have

been pushing the EA to focus on a risk-based approach, not just a blanket ban. Abstraction

and water in general continue to be a concern and some CLA members have been having

licences removed.

• Labour issues are still ongoing across all sectors – not just livestock and vegetable growers,

but also affecting members with diversified businesses such as cleaners and waiting staff in

farm shops.

• The national fly-tipping statistics were published last week. Another year-on-year increase, but

only shows incidents on public land. Most incidents occur on private land and landowners are

responsible for the cost of removing it.

• The CLA is pushing for harsher penalties for hare coursing and is working with other rural

organisations to seek an amendment to the police crime, sentencing and courts bill, which will

enable police forces to recover the handling costs where dogs are seized and will increase

fines.

• Increased regulations on residential lettings remain an issue, particularly around local authority

implementation of electrical regulations.

• Waiting for Government’s Levelling Up White Paper to come out as there was no dedicated

funding for rural businesses in the Shared Prosperity Fund. Want to make sure that there is a

dedicated fund for rural businesses.

• The Planning White Paper is due soon and the CLA wants to make sure that it is fit for purpose

for rural areas.

• Expecting a response to the Glover Review and for it to be wider, incorporating more nature

and biodiversity.

• Working closely with Defra on their response to the National Food Strategy from Henry

Dimbleby.

• Continuing to help members that have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Machinery and other inputs – Ben Turner

• Current prices for commodities are sitting strong. However, staring into the abyss for next year

and customers are in different positions.

• Some customers have bought fertiliser early (sub £200 per tonne) and, looking at the last 10

years of farming, the best profit they could make is to sell it (at plus circa £700 per tonne) and

not put anything on their crops, which is bizarre.

• Steel prices are plateauing – hoping that this will stop price inflation.

• Their supplier factory in the US is at capacity for 2022 so they are only able to get what they

have ordered as stock for next year.

• Expecting commodity levels to drop off in Q4 2022 / Q1 2023 so will have to watch inventory

levels and keep an eye on exports.

• VET checks on machines have been an issue. Someone comes to do the check when they can

and then from that point, you have 14 days for the machine to be shipped. Hauliers make their

money from doing pick-ups from multiple sites in one go which is now difficult. Could do with

extending the 14-days to a month, otherwise it means the checks need to be redone and the

cost is passed onto the customer. This issue has toned down their export business over the

past year.

• Some good grants available at the moment, but there is an issue with funding the gap. It would

be better if finance was allowed as a mechanism rather than required the business to fund with

cash.

• It is an aggressive market at the moment.

• It is hard to get good talent.

Crop production & land management – Andrew Francis

• Short of people both full-time and casual labour. Taking the view that they have to invest and

innovate their way out of their labour problems.

• Facing difficulties in accessing and writing bids for grants, in addition to the cash requirement

on the business.

• The medium to long term plan must be mechanisation, but this is not easy.

• Mental health concerns continue to be an issue, particularly around isolation. Trying to come

up with creative ideas to get youngsters living in single accommodation engaged. Taking part

in the wellbeing research and innovation partnership at Anglia Ruskin University. This was

launched in January and is bringing together a variety of stakeholders to look at mental health

and wellbeing.

• Not seeing anything topping out from an input price perspective. Prices increased due to rising

gas price so looking at in excess of £700 per tonne for nitrogen-based fertiliser which is beyond

the point of economic sensibility.

• Concerns over the 2023 crop and its economics. Cannot see any case for buying ahead, so it

will be a lottery.

• Fixed price contracts and multi-year contracts are an issue. Engaging with customers to get

price realignment due to the cost inflation incurred on the 2021 crop. Could cause fractious

relationships so some difficult decisions to make on supply.

• Have been taking part in test and trials for three years, but no vision or early indication of

financials and how they can integrate it so a difficult environment to build long-term budgets

against.

Agricultural Association – written updates

Mark Nicholas

• The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association is well positioned to continue the core mission of

promoting and supporting food, farming and countryside in 2022. Key points to note:

• Norfolk Farming Conference 10 February 2022 Norfolk Showground – Trade – challenges and

opportunities; Farming Carbon, ELMS and the Environment; Water – flood mitigation and water

resource use. Tickets available now at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/norfolk-farming-

conference-tickets-201628535377

• Norfolk & Suffolk Skills and Careers Festival 9-10 March 2022 Norfolk Showground – to include

a major Agri-Food skills exhibition – new for 2022. For employer bookings see

https://norfolkskills.co.uk/exhibitor-expression-of-interest/

• Royal Norfolk Show 29-30 June 2022 – A great revival of the UK’s largest two-day county

show. Key themes are: Homegrown; Local Living; and Farming Champions. For further details

see our new website: https://www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk/

Phillip Ainsworth

• SAA/FramFarmers organising a conference for 3 March entitled ‘Getting to grips with the

future’. Will look at both the challenges but also some solutions for the future. Aim is to promote

the event to members from mid December.

• Their key areas of focus turning mostly to food and climate change/sustainability. The report

now published on food is a key reference point: https://www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/

• They still continue to plan for a ‘full Show’ (advice from their DPH last week confirms this is

what they should do). Also, very important in his view that they look to deliver all their

educational activities in 2022.

• The 2022 Show is a springboard event for the Jubilee celebrations in Suffolk entitled Festival of

Suffolk. See http://www.festivalofsuffolk.org/

Additional comments

Martin Collison:

• We must learn from the 2007/08 downturn and help businesses to think through the risk

response.

Belinda Clarke:

• The Farming Innovate Programme: small R&D partnership projects programme has seen lots

of applications. It is likely to be oversubscribed and with projects having to reach 80% scores,

there are likely to be some great projects that do not make the cut. Can we do anything to

support these projects in this region.

• BBSRC are putting together a Net Zero Agriculture Network – hopefully this will filter through

opportunities for industry to work with the research base.

Jonathan Clarke:

• There is a lot of tension in the research community about pressure to deliver impact without the

funding resources or mechanisms to do it.

• Institutes are going through their next application for the next five year funding period (Institute

Assessment Exercise). Looks like funding will be flatlined, so it will likely result in a reduction in

the size of the research base.

• There is other funding coming through from government.

• More effort is required to get European Union funding. The research needs to be working more

closely with the business community for this and this is something that the Industry Council

could help with.

• The connection with the Netherlands is something we can capitalise upon.

Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy – Natasha Waller

• The title of this document has changed to the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy, but as

mentioned before it consolidates the existing strategies and plans (Economic Strategy, Local

Industrial Strategy & Recovery Plan) into one, further refining our ambitions, strengths, actions,

and interventions.

• It is designed to be agile so that we can react to the continually changing landscape being able to

adapt the actions and interventions as the circumstances change.

• The strategy sets out Norfolk and Suffolk's potential at a regional level providing a framework for

partners to develop plans specific to their geography, sector, or institution. Much of the delivery will

take place through these plans.

• The strategy will be accompanied by a much larger evidence report which sets out the evidence

and the assets. We will also be publishing an interactive data platform which will have some of this

evidence. The platform will be agile and kept up to date so that partners can interrogate up to date

evidence down to district level where it is available.

• We have held 110 engagement sessions including 1-2-1’s, workshops and meetings with over 600

people have engaged and provide input to the strategy.

• We wanted to say a big thank you to all Council members for the valuable feedback provided on

the Agri-Food section, and other sections, ahead of the 26 November deadline.

• We have reviewed and incorporated relevant feedback and the final draft has now gone to the

designers for public sector leaders in January for endorsement and the LEP Board on 26th

January for sign off.

Additional comments

Corrienne Peasgood:

• Document has to be high-level to represent all of the sectors and economic opportunities. The

evidence report data will be very important, particularly in supporting bid-writing.

• At the next meeting, we need to look at how the Agri-Food Delivery Plan will meet the relevant

parts of the Economic Strategy.

Clarke Willis:

• We should look at the data in more detail at each of our meetings to really understand the

value of what we produce across the food chain.

Martin Collison:

• Felt we could be more ambitious with setting targets.

• This is focused on high value, high tech, highly skilled and highly paid jobs.

• The real potential is down the food chain.

Farming Investment Fund – John Hustler, DEFRA

(Slides attached)

• Farming Investment fund is one part of a programme of grants and schemes to support farming as

we go through the transition period following EU exit and the common agricultural policy.

• Aim is to encourage the delivery of a competitive and thriving agriculture, horticulture, and forestry

sector.

• It supports businesses to invest in equipment and technology to improve technology in a

sustainable manner.

• 2 strands – Farming equipment and technology fund (small scale) and farming transformation fund

(large).

Additional comments

Ben Turner:

• Financing the cash match needed for these grants will be difficult for farmers given the reliance

on finance for many.

• Locking down pricing and delivery times will be a factor in ordering grant-supported equipment.

Cath Crowther:

• The CLA was pleased to see water included as a theme within the scheme. Will be helpful to

see future themes in advance so members can get prepared.

Belinda Clarke:

• Software is not included and interested to understand if this will be something for the future

given the demand for it.

John Hustler:

• DEFRA is in listening mode.

• Please do provide experiences of delivery or specific issues.

• The next round is likely to include a broad round of financing options.

Broadland Food Innovation Centre Cluster – Martin Collison

(Slides attached)

• Industry is facing major challenges – labour supply issues, changes to trade rules, pressures

from consumers/Government to reduce diet and reduce environmental impact, and digital tech

changing every aspect of the sector.

• We have a world-leading concentration of agri-food research and support bodies, but the

cluster lacks voice, branding and access points.

• Recommendations for the cluster:

o Develop a broad-based cluster.

o Cluster focus – unite research with practice, diverse sources of innovation to support

SMEs and large companies, create new programmes, physical base and proactive

outreach.

o Single point of access.

o Industry-led cluster strategy group with delivery and operational groups.

o Cluster branding.

o Food innovation tenancy and growth.

o Cluster partnerships.

o Bidding for additional resources.

o Anchor institutions.

o Private funding.

Additional comments

Colette Matthewman:

• If anyone does want to follow up about the cluster work, please do feel free to contact me or

Alex who has recently joined as the new Cluster Manager

- c.matthewman@uea.ac.uk or Alexander.Larte[email protected]

Agri-Food Regional Narrative: Agri-Food in the Eastern Region – Stuart Catchpole

• The designed Regional Narrative document was circulated to the Council on 26

November,

following the launch event at Agri-Tech Week on 8

November.

• This collaboration has been specifically referenced in the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy.

• In terms of next steps, a practical one is the fact that the LEPs will join forces with the universities

involved in Ceres phase one to support with securing investment in a long-term regional research

translation programme.

• Both the Broadland Food Innovation Centre and the other Food Enterprise Zone sites across the

patch and the High Potential Opportunities with DIT are examples where we can use the collective

strength of regional collaboration, business support and research institutes working with one

another to our advantage.

• We have some powerful collateral to use here as and when we want to influence Government or to

support inward investment.

• We welcome any feedback that you have in terms of the document itself and where Council

members would see most value in leveraging this partnership next?

Additional comments

Martin Collison:

• It makes sense to link up, particularly as the new government funding comes through. There is

almost a supercluster. We are not sure of Government funding but expect to see calls for big

strategic projects with short timescales. We need to think about drawing together 3 or 4 big

things that the geography could work on collectively and getting together a two-pager so that

we are ready to move.

Additional Opportunities - Chair

• Chance to reflect on the things that are there to help us with the challenges we have identified. We

should look to bring the support opportunities together in one place to draw to the attention of

businesses and encourage them to apply. Just to name a few of the support programmes

available:

o Future farming resilience fund

o Investment in agriculture network

o Public investment fund

o AHDB farm business review service

o Protected landscapes programme

Additional comments

Martin Collison:

• Current round of AHDB farm business support advice is likely to be extended by six months – a lot

of unfilled spaces on the programme. Defra’s expectation was that this would be the second of

three phases and the third phase is likely to be much larger again.

• Local publicity of support programmes through the LEP and Growth Hub is necessary. Shows that

we are willing to work with these and linking up with local delivery.

• Majority of small businesses are confused with the support landscape. Need to support them with

this. They have trusted sources.

Cath Crowther:

• This is a challenge for all of us. The sector is going through huge transformation over the next

few years. The CLA is trying to highlight emerging opportunities for members through articles,

webinars, and practical face-to-face events. Happy to consider joint marketing if helpful. CLA

content available at: https://www.cla.org.uk/agricultural-transition/

Sam Fairs:

• Grants are difficult to go for when you are a farmer – the funding gap and ‘off the shelf’

readiness issues were both cited.

• Commodity prices are short-term and need to look at the long-term. They have already sold

40% of what is in the ground today.

• Need to lift the retail side. Have spent 18 years of dropping the price of their oil, now want to

raise it and it is almost impossible. Rapeseed has doubled in value; rapeseed mill has not

followed so has a crush margin issue. Need to get the retail to agree a middle ground and

support everybody. Sometimes you must pass the price on.

• Massive issue with haulage of commodities. Cannot move beans for another month. They do

not have the lorries or staff. This is going to be a huge issue in May to July because they will

have sheds full of stuff.

Clarke Willis:

• We need to be a lot smarter about integrated supply chains. Let’s look at the big picture.

Corrienne Peasgood:

• We need to look at both the big picture and take advantage of the smaller, shorter-term

opportunities at the same time.

• We will reflect on this conversation when setting agendas for the 2022 meetings.

Date of next meeting and any other business

Matt Jones:

• REAF (Renaissance of East Anglian Fisheries) is on track to register as a Community Interest

Company by March next year and is on track to be the largest and most influential fisher led

organisation in East Anglia.

• Sustainable seafood (incl. innovation) will be a key workstream developed during 2022.

Clarke Willis:

• The Nuffield Scholars Conference will take place in March and the Food Enterprise Park will

host a range of scholars with a very good range of presentations.

The dates for meetings in 2022 are:

• Tuesday 15th March – 10.30-12.30

• Tuesday 14th June – 10.30-12.30

• Tuesday 13th September – 10.30-12.30

• Tuesday 13th December – 10.30-12.30

In Attendance

Corrienne Peasgood, (Chair) City College Norwich; Martin Collison, Collison and Associates; Ben

Turner, Ben Burgess and Co Ltd; Jonathan Clarke, JIC; Jo Middleton, Norfolk County Council; Viv

Gillespie, Suffolk New College; Mike Edwards; Albanwise; Matt Jones, Suffolk County Council; Clarke

Willis, Food Enterprise Park, Belinda Clarke, Agri-TechE; Andrew Francis, Elveden Estate; James

Allen, Natasha Waller & Stuart Catchpole, New Anglia LEP; Cath Crowther, CLA; Sam Fairs, Hillfairs

Farming Ltd.

Invited to participate: John Hustler, DEFRA; Colette Matthewman & Alex Larter, UEA; Alexis Cuarte,

Suffolk County Council.

Apologies for absence

Nigel Davies, Muntons; Andrew Fearne, UEA; Gary Ford, NFU; Emily Norton, Savills; Peter Mason,

Uphouse Farm Ltd; Robert Gooch, The Wild Meat Co; Mark Nicholas, Royal Norfolk Agricultural

Association; Philip Ainsworth, Suffolk Ag Association; Tim Place, Place UK; Rosie Begg, Gorgate Ltd;

Greg Smith, Agri-Food Skills Group.