No gain in selling local authority farms - NFU

The local authority farm network in Wales must be maintained and developed so that they can continue to provide an invaluable entry and progression route into farming in Wales – that is the key message in NFU Cymru’s response to the National Assembly for Wales Rural Development Sub-Committee inquiry into local authority farms in Wales.

NFU Cymru’s evidence highlighted the role that the Welsh Assembly Government can play in helping to identify good practice and seek better uniformity between local authorities in their management of local authority farms.

Fearing that the present economic climate will make some local authorities consider a programme of farm disposal, tenant dairy farmer, Stephen Alderman, from Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire, who gave oral evidence on behalf of NFU Cymru said, "We appreciate the major financial pressures currently upon local authorities, but we do not accept that selling off one of their prime assets is the answer, this would be tantamount to selling the family silver, instead a well managed estate should be seen as a vital and profitable asset for local authorities."

NFU Cymru also emphasised that with the right incentives and opportunities for tenants, the farm network can deliver on a number of other important aspirations, which are high on the agenda for local authorities, such as, renewable energy generation and waste utilization as well as being used as an educational resource.

Fighting for the next generation, NFU Cymru suggested that the Welsh Assembly Government has a key role to play in seeking to improve linkages between the public and private sector, to help new entrants and young entrepreneurs enter and progress within agriculture in Wales.

Stephen Alderman continued, "NFU Cymru has always held the view that local authority farms allow younger people without sufficient capital a chance to get into the farming industry - an industry which is regarded as one of the most difficult to enter.

"Ideally the local authority network should offer a good mix of farm type and size to allow for progression. We also feel a more integrated approach is needed between local authorities and the private sector, to help progression and the transition onto larger holdings, and the Welsh Assembly Government is well placed to help improve this connection possibly through its Farming Connect scheme."