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09/12/2005
Hill farming vital to the Uplands Future
The National Farmers' Union has presented its proposal on the future of hill farming to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming in Westminster today.
The presentation highlighted the cultural importance of hill farming in English life and the tremendous public and environmental benefits that hill farming deliveries.
As with all farming sectors in the wake of Common Agricultural Policy reform, hill farmers face the challenge of building a successful business in a competitive market place. This is especially difficult in the uplands given the harsh climate that hill farmers face coupled with real remoteness, not least from the market place. Therefore, the NFU, has called on the group to stress to government the need to achieve a dedicated package of measures that will ensure that the many public benefits delivered by hill farming continue. These include
* The Government needs to recognise and maximise the many public benefits delivered by hill farming such as tourism and the many allied businesses.
* Hill farming needs to be at the centre of upland strategies if the industry is to sustain diverse upland communities, a strong skills base and valued upland landscapes.
* Future upland support should cover all upland areas.
* Any reform should acknowledge the significant challenges faced by hill farmers.
* The Environmental Stewardship schemes need to be developed to maximise delivery of environmental benefit in the uplands.
NFU Spokesman on Hill Farming, Will Cockbain, said: "The stunning landscape that underpins our thriving national tourism industry is not there by chance, it's largely due to generations of farming activity. If we want to maintain that, we need upland farming to remain viable."
"The NFU has calculated that the measures outlined to the All Party Group will cost £50 million per annum. I understand it sounds like a lot of money, but it's a small price to pay to secure the future of a much-loved, traditional, and culturally rich industry that is integral to the British countryside."
"I know the National Parks and other environmental groups are supportive of our approach and are concerned about the detrimental impact on upland environments if economically sustainable opportunities for hill farming are not developed."
The presentation highlighted the cultural importance of hill farming in English life and the tremendous public and environmental benefits that hill farming deliveries.
As with all farming sectors in the wake of Common Agricultural Policy reform, hill farmers face the challenge of building a successful business in a competitive market place. This is especially difficult in the uplands given the harsh climate that hill farmers face coupled with real remoteness, not least from the market place. Therefore, the NFU, has called on the group to stress to government the need to achieve a dedicated package of measures that will ensure that the many public benefits delivered by hill farming continue. These include
* The Government needs to recognise and maximise the many public benefits delivered by hill farming such as tourism and the many allied businesses.
* Hill farming needs to be at the centre of upland strategies if the industry is to sustain diverse upland communities, a strong skills base and valued upland landscapes.
* Future upland support should cover all upland areas.
* Any reform should acknowledge the significant challenges faced by hill farmers.
* The Environmental Stewardship schemes need to be developed to maximise delivery of environmental benefit in the uplands.
NFU Spokesman on Hill Farming, Will Cockbain, said: "The stunning landscape that underpins our thriving national tourism industry is not there by chance, it's largely due to generations of farming activity. If we want to maintain that, we need upland farming to remain viable."
"The NFU has calculated that the measures outlined to the All Party Group will cost £50 million per annum. I understand it sounds like a lot of money, but it's a small price to pay to secure the future of a much-loved, traditional, and culturally rich industry that is integral to the British countryside."
"I know the National Parks and other environmental groups are supportive of our approach and are concerned about the detrimental impact on upland environments if economically sustainable opportunities for hill farming are not developed."
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