MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Start the Falklands Farmer's Week

Monday 12th July marked the beginning of Farmers' Week in the Falkland Islands.

Organised by the Rural Business Association (RBA), this annual five day long round of meetings, presentations and social events offers farmers the chance to meet up with each other in Stanley, do a little business or shopping and compare notes on the season just completed. It also allows for an exchange of ideas between farmers and some of the commercial organizations and government departments which impact upon their lives.

After the RBA committee meeting and AGM, which kicked off the first day, the first date was for a question and answer session with the staff of the King Edward Memorial Hospital. This was followed by a talk on the safety of electrical systems by electrician-turned-farmer, Terence McPhee and a presentation by Roger Spink, Managing Director of the Falkland Islands Company (FIC) on wool warehousing, insurance and shipping. All are subjects of keen interest to wool producers, but insurance has become of especial importance to those farmers keen to diversify into tourism. At the turn of the year British-based Royal International Insurance for whom the FIC had been agents for many years, surrendered their Falklands operation. Their place was taken by Antigua-based, Caribbean Alliance, who FIC also represent.

First of an occasionally gruelling round of social engagements was the Rural Business Association party at the Narrows Bar.