Free Business Advice for farmers to continue

FREE BUSINESS ADVICE FOR FARMERS TO CONTINUE

Farmers will be able to call upon free support from the Farm Business Advice Service (FBAS) for another year after Ministers agreed to extend the scheme until March 2005.

Since 2000 the government has invested nearly £32million in FBAS, helping around 15,000 farmers.

FBAS offers farmers three days free consultancy including a business 'health audit' and help in drawing up business plans.

The extension announced today by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will give around 3,000 more farmers access to free advice and support.

Food and Farming Minister Larry Whitty said:

"I would encourage more farmers to take advantage of the service. FBAS can give farmers vital support to help them perform better - it could help boost profits and ensure a long-term future for their businesses.

"We are making FBAS more flexible and responsive to the needs of its customers. Healthier farm businesses mean a healthier rural economy and more prosperous farming communities."

Defra will consult later this year on the long-term future of FBAS and other business support for farmers and rural businesses.