MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands at the Royal Show.
The advancement of agricultural diversification, promotion of organic free range farming, a new machine-washable wool, are some of the many innovations and attractions to be displayed in this year's Falkland Islands stand at the Royal Show 2003 in Warwickshire at the end of the month.
The event, Britain's most renowned agricultural exhibition is also an excellent opportunity to highlight the Falklands, its achievements, the self sufficient economy and the growing importance of the Islands as a cruise vessels tourism itinerary that every season attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the uniquely unspoiled remote South Atlantic archipelago with its abundant wildlife and over 70 different breeding species.
Although the Falklands' economy for the last twenty years has been highly dependent on fisheries, agriculture is still the Islands greatest challenge and many funds have been successfully invested in diversification.
The 1,140,800 acres of the Falklands hold 650,000 sheep and 4,600 cattle with an annual wool clip of 2,400 tons of greasy wool which traditionally has been sold through wholesalers in the United Kingdom.
But even with wool as the agricultural mainstay more farms have began developing meat lines following the European Union approval of the Sand Bay Abattoir in December 2002, permitting exports for the first time. Most of the first season's meat production has been sold to the UK, with a proportion left for local consumption, supplying fishing vessels and some prime lots also reached visiting cruise vessels.
This year for the first time, the Islands' Organic Inspector, Charlene Rowland will be at the stand promoting Falklands' organic production and contacting various organizations present at the Show. Since the initiative was launched two years ago, eight of the 88 farms in the Islands have converted to EU approved organic farming methods, with a further six in the pipeline.
Also on the stand will be displayed a selection of 100% pure, machine-washable Falklands Wool by A&E Knitwear, one of the longest standing knitwear businesses in the Islands. This new line launched in 2003 is used by the company to produce a range of garments in the Islands, handmade by framing on flat knitting machines and finished by hand.
The diversification effort is a joint undertaking of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture and the Rural Business Association that are always looking for ways to improve returns from wool and develop enterprises that complement wool production.
A year ago the Department of Agriculture, DOA, launched the initiative "The Way Forward" to increase farm profitability through the implementation of enhanced business skills to every facet of farm management.
The DOA works in partnership with Queen's University of Belfast and the United Kingdom Falkland Islands Trust (UKFIT) on projects related to agricultural development such as restoration of tussac grass, shelter belts, improved pastures, use of locally available natural fertilizers.
Besides agriculture promotion, the Falklands are currently involved in plans to develop onshore fisheries through the creation of a new deep-water port, cold storage capacity and an on shore processing plant.
The Falklands stand will be located in Stand IV, Block 23, International Village, and is managed by Sukey Cameron, the Falkland Islands Government Representative in London. The Royal Show runs from Sunday June 29 to Wednesday July 2.
Further information can be obtained from: www.falklandislands.com, www.tourism.ofg.fk, www.falklandknitwear.com and www.royalshow.org.uk
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