Dear Prime Minister,

It was very good to see you again the other day and, as usual, I much enjoyed the opportunity to talk about a number of issues. You kindly suggested that it would be helpful if I put them in writing — despite the Freedom of Information Act!

 We discussed at some length the agricultural situation. The most pressing and urgent problem is, without doubt, the rising numbers of T.B. cases is affecting 5,000 farms each year, 20,000 head of cattle are being slaughtered and the cost to the taxpayer is £100 million annually. As you know, all the evidence is that T.B. is caused and spread by badgers. You said that you were aware of the recent study in the Republic of Ireland which proved that badger culling is effecting in ridding cattle of T.B. — in Donegal, for instance, by the fifth year of the trial there was a 96 per cent reduction of cattle infection in the badger “removal” areas.Charles highlights Irish success in culling badgers to curb T.B. in cattle. A UK trial was not successful

 I know that the Government is planning shortly to announce a ten-year strategic framework for the control of the disease but, as far as I can tell, there is no evidence that this will include a commitment to the dead with the badger problem in the immediate future, although there is a strong rumour that the Government may be intending to reduce the levels of compensation to farmers, something which, I happen to think, would be less fair and would provoke real anger amongst farmers. Apart from the appalling waste of valuable cattle, I explained to you my real fear that unless something is done urgently we could end up with another food scare and I know you remember only too well the consequences of B.S.E. and F.M.D… Certainly, the raw milk cheese-producers, many of whom have established their businesses in an effort to diversity their farms, which is what the Government wants, are deeply fearful of what may happen to them and I know that Sir John Krebs, the outgoing Chairman of the FOod Standards Agency sha
es their fears. So all I can say is that I do is urge you to look again at introducing a proper cull of badgers where it is necessary. I, for one, cannot understand how the “badger lobby” seem to mind not all about the slaughter of thousands of expensive cattle, and yet object to a managed cull of over-population of badgers — to me, this is intellectually dishonest.Charles warns of TB in cattle causing a health scare

 I also mention to you the sheer weight of the bureaucracy under which farmers are labouring at the moment as the new Single Farm Payment comes into force. It is causing much anxiety and I know how strongly you feel about the need to cut bureaucracy where possible, especially in your role as Chairman of the Panel for Regulatory Accountability. You said that this was something you might look into, so I thought it could be helpful if I just listed the documentation that farmers have received in recent weeks, and this is in addition to new regulations on fallen dead stock and a consultation paper on waste controls:

        S.F.P November update — 31 pages

        S.F.P Cross compliance handbook — 52 pages

        S.F.P. Set Aside handbook — 39 pages

        S.F.P. Cross Compliance Guidance for Soil Management — 40 pages

        S.F.P. Cross Compliance Guidance for the Management of Habitat and Landscape Features — 48 pages

        S.F.P. Consulation paper on agriculture waste regulations — 19 pages

I also told you about the Rural Payments Agency’s recent announcement that it would not be able to send out the first Single Farm Payment cheques until next February at the earliest, largely because of the computer shortcomings. This is painful for all farmers, but particularly tenant farms who normally delay paying their rent until, under the old system, the subsidy cheques arrived. I told you that the National Farmers’ Union had suggested a small interim payment to tide farmers over and I do think that this is something well worth considering to reduce hardship and uncertainty.Charles foresees the catastrophe of the Rural Payments Agency
 You have heard me tell you on so many occasions about the importance of the family farmers, particularly those who reside in the upland areas. These are, without doubt, the most beautiful areas of the country which tourists flock to see, and yet they are the most difficult areas to farm and are most disadvantaged in every way for those who live there. That is why I am doing what I can to help them manage under the new regime, not least by trying to persuade companies to second someone who can help galvanize these farmers so that we can break what is, in all too many cases, a cycle of despair and hopelessness. They need all possible help to learn to co-operate, to market more effectively and to make the most in business terms of beautiful areas within which they live.

I also mentioned to you my anxiety about this country’s lack of self-sufficiency in staple foods, such as meat and vegetables. Recent trade figures showed a decline of 12 percent over the decade falling from 86 per cent in 1994 to 74 per cent in 2004 and only 64 per cent for all food. on both environmental and economic grounds this has to be a worrying trend, let alone form the point of view of this country’s food security.

 We also discussed at some length the behavior of the retailers and in recent months there have been some particularly shocking examples, some of which would appear to be in contravention of the existing statutory Supermarket Code of Practices. There is no doubt that the dominant position of the retailers is the single biggest issue affecting British farmers and the food chain, and if it is not dealt with all the other good work which has been going on risks becoming virtually useless. I know that Margaret Beckett recently made clear that the Government was less than pleased by what had been happening and indicated that she supported the idea of being mooted amongst some of the leaders of the agriculture community, not least  _______ _______ and the National Farmers’ Union, that a voluntary Buyer’s Charter should be created to address the issues of reasonableness and fair play within the food chain. I understand that the proposal would be for an independent arbitrator to be appointed to deal with the indiv
ual complains in an entirely private way. I suggested that it might be worth considering  _______ for this role.  _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ might have the time to do it and I would thing  __  would have all the necessary skills for the job…

 We spoke also about the enormous problem of climate change and the remarkable leadership role which you are taking in this area with the U.K.’s Presidency this year of the G8 and the European Union, for which I congratulate you. As I mentioned, there is a particular worry that the Government’s recent decision to revise its National Allocation Plan may undermine some of your good work and I know that this is something about which the N.G.O.’s who are so supportive of the work you are doing, are equally concerned. Nevertheless, do rest assured that you have a great deal of support and all I would say is that you may find it worthwhile to explore not just what industry can do to cut emissions, but also the wider community. Energy efficiency could make a huge difference and would engage the public in the whole subject in a way that simply focusing on the industry’s role will not.

 We also discussed the built environment and, in particular, the uncertainty as to how the approximately one hundred National Health hospitals will be redeveloped for housing under the Government’s plans. As I mentioned, it is so important both in order to secure the maximum economic benefit and to provide places and communities in which people want to live, that this is done with great care and thought. I like to think that my Foundation for the Built Environment is one of the leading sources of expertize in this area and you kindly said that Chief Executive, Mr. Hank Dittmar, might come in to brief your advisors on this important issue.
 We briefly mentioned the European Union Directive on Herbal Medicines, which is having such a deleterious effect on complementary medicine sector in this country by effectively outlawing the use of certain herbal extracts. I think we both agreed this was using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You rightly asked me what could be done about it and I am asking the Chief Executive of my Foundation for Integrated Health to provide a more detailed briefing which I hope to be able to send shortly so that your advisers can look at it. Meanwhile, I have given Martin Hurst a note suggesting someone he could talk to who runs the Herbal Practitioner’s Association.

I apologize for the length of this letter!

Yours ever

Charles