Green shoots

IT is important that the continuing debate about the public sector does not mask the fact that some green shoots of economic recovery are beginning to take root. Perversely, the one sector of the economy that appears to be offering rays of hope is an industry which was allowed to wither away for far too long – agriculture.

This view is reinforced by the opening of a new bioethanol plant in Hull, a city that has been over-dependent on public sector employment. As well as creating 70 jobs, it provides a massive boost to East Yorkshire's arable farmers as it will process at least 1.1 million tonnes of wheat a year.

Furthermore, its operators have taken the decision to champion local suppliers rather than import wheat – a change of emphasis which can only help the farming fraternity as a greater emphasis is placed on sustainability and the creation of biofuels, another growth industry that this region is well-placed to exploit. Of course, it will take more than a renaissance in agriculture to revitalise the region's economy – but it is already abundantly clear that many lessons can be learnt from the innovation being witnessed in farming.