Governance, policy, and power | TableDebates

Mosaic of different fields and land use

Beyond a binary land use debate in Tom Heap's new book

TABLE interviews Tom Heap about his new book Land Smart in which he explores many difficult tensions and trade-offs in land use, from biofuels versus solar panels and regenerative farming to biotechnology, and tiptoes into the emotionally-laden debate of dietary change – revealing his penchant for pragmatism.

Image: Tractors with protest signs in the street. Photo by stopthepave via flickr

News and resources

Farmers Protest, Who Gains?

A consortium of European media outlets investigate the power brokers of the burgeoning farmer protests in Europe and how they are turning the outrage to their advantage. They explore the key figures in France, Italy, Poland and Germany, who claim to represent the farmers and investigate whose interests they are really representing.

Alt text: Cover of book: Food Deserts and Food Insecurity in the UK.

Food Deserts and Food Insecurity in the UK

This book examines the social inequalities relating to food insecurity in the UK, as well as drawing parallels with the US. It introduces a new framework to examine the many influences on local-level food inequalities, whether they result from individual circumstances or where a person lives.

Photo by Mick Baker via Flickr. A sign of weetabix next to field

Deconstructing Weetabix: What my family farm's supply chain taught me about power

In this blog, Jack Thompson traces the supply chain of his family farm’s wheat to UK cereal manufacturer, Weetabix. In mapping every stage, he reveals where power is concentrated in arable farming: seed monopolies, fertiliser companies, machinery companies and grain merchants. He argues that this consolidation of agribusiness is driving not only environmental and social harm, but is a leading reason for the farmer protests in Europe. This article was originally published in Vittles, an online magazine based in the UK and India, publishing new food and culture writing. It was written by TABLE's research and communications officer, Jack Thompson.

Image: Protester’s surrounding a pole holding Indian flags. Photo by Shakeb Tawheed via Pexels

News and resources

India farmers to continue protest march on New Delhi

Several recent news articles have detailed the resurgence of farmer protests in India - farmers are demanding guaranteed crop prices from the government. Al Jazeera has covered the demands of the protest movement previously. It has also covered the recent failed negotiations the movement has had with the Indian government. The protesters are now marching towards New Delhi to secure crop price guarantees to protect livelihoods but face blockades and tear gas from authorities

Image of someone holding a Palestinian flag in a burning field. Photo by hosnysalah via Pixabay

News and resources

Environmental and food systems impacts of war in Gaza

Several media outlets have reported on the substantial environmental impacts caused by the on-going conflict in Gaza including water and soil contamination, the health issues associated with sewage management problems and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with Israel’s military action in Gaza. These environmental impacts have implications for the short-term food production potential in the region and for the long term food security of Palestinians in Gaza.

Image of corporate logos from various food companies.

News and resources

Prisoner's labour in the US linked to hundreds of popular food brands

The Associated Press has recently reported on links between US prison force labour and major food brands such as Coca-Cola and Frosted Flakes, which are on the shelves of retailers such as Aldi, Target, and Whole Foods. The AP cites that Cargill, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus, Archer Daniels Midland and Consolidated Grain have all purchased millions of dollars worth of soy, corn, and wheat harvested by prisoners. This also directly competes with sales for local farmers.

Image of cows in a tree lined field. Photo by Paul Keiffer via Unsplash

News and resources

Agricultural Transition Plan update: agroforestry

8.9ha has reported that Defra has recently provided an update on the post-Brexit agricultural transition plan, including 50 new actions in the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme and an update on how farm tenants are considered in ELM.

Front cover of book titled Brexit and Agriculture

Brexit and Agriculture

This book, written by Ludivine Petetin and Mary Dobbs, dives into free trade agreements for standards across the UK’s four nations and levies a critique of the policy efforts post-Brexit as the nations transition away from the Common Agricultural Policy. It is relevant to agri-food stakeholders and policymakers in various sectors both within the UK and abroad.