The future of rural policy post Brexit

There is so much written already and so much discussion about how farming and the environment will feature in a post Brexit world but are all the conversations taking place in different rooms?
I have just been looking up the information on the Greener UK about the lobbying being done by this group for securing environmental protection after we leave the UK. The alliance of 'green NGOs' has a long list of worthy contributors and subscribers but I could have guessed most of them.
In a separate room are the farming lobby organisations keen to make sure that they don't face the sort of rules that make it impossible to farm and make a profit in future. They are well known too.
Both groups include a significant proportion of organisations funded principally by membership subscriptions. Others make their money oiling the wheels of their respective organisations; selling products to farming on the one hand or advising those who implement environmental policies on the other. There is a lack of objective and dispassionate comment. Scientific consensus is often absent and academics too suffer from conflicts on interest.
Surely this is a debate that is important enough for all to work together because there is more at stake than just farming and the environment. Why, for example, are we to have a Government paper on the environment separate from any paper on agriculture? Why is there not a paper on food? This is a crucially important time for both farming and the environment; for communities and individuals; for food; for landscape and for urban and rural places. They all need each other- these are often symbiotic relationships.
Let us hope that, for activity in rural areas, Government recognise that it is not just DEFRA that is involved. Yes they are in one room but in other rooms are DH (Health);  DCMS (digital connectivity); BEIS (business); CLG (planning); DFT (rural transport); DEEU (exiting the EU) and DIT (trade).
This is why it will be interesting to have the subject studied by a group that are not sponsored by a Government Department nor by membership bodies and includes those who work in the health sector- surely the unspoken voice in a debate about what we eat, where it comes from and what it costs. The recently announced Food, Farming and Countryside Commission working under the auspices of the RSA is attempting to do that and it will be interesting to see the results of the two year study that is just starting.

Devon Starter Farm does its job

Devon Starter Farm Does Its Job



64 acre (26 ha) or 99 acres (40 ha) now available for new tenant

In the summer of 2013 I chaired the "Future of Farming" review and then launched it with the then Farming Minister, David Heath, addressing the challenges faced by new entrants in the farming industry. While making the point that there are several ways to get into farming, the report highlighted the lack of farmers retiring and consequently the lack of opportunities for young people to set up their own farming business.



Coincidentally that same summer an opportunity arose on the Fursdon Estate in Mid-Devon to create a starter farm which was made available on the basis either of a Farm Business Tenancy or any other business arrangement that applicants felt attractive. The farm is Rixham Farm at Cadbury and consists of around 64 acres (25 ha) of pasture together with a modern three-bedroom house, an agricultural building and glorious views over the Mid Devon countryside.

The opportunity in 2013 attracted 55 applicants from all over the country who all had the opportunity to view the farm and to submit an application based on a business model of what they would do at the property. Obviously with a mere 64 acres then, most applicants explained how they would need to supplement their income with earnings off the farm or else carry out a specialist enterprise which earned them enough from the property itself. Amongst various weird and wonderful suggestions there were a number of serious bids and the eventual winners relocated from East Devon and set up their business in September 2013. This combined a traditional sheep enterprise with a family daily care-farm supplemented with income from agricultural contracting.

My wife and I hoped that Rixham Farm would provide a launch pad for a young family to establish themselves in farming. We were therefore delighted to hear that the tenants had been successful in their bid for a 120 acre farm on the Devon County Council let estate; double the size and something that would not have been possible for them without their experience gained on the farm at Cadbury.

As a result, the farm is now available to let once more from 29 September 2017 This time around however, there will be 35 acres more available nearby at Christmas, making a farm of 99 acres (40 ha). It is offered on the same basis i.e. a 10-year Farm Business Tenancy or on some other arrangement that proves to be mutually beneficial both to the Estate and to the applicants. There will be a break clause at the five-year point which coincides with the expected date when the existing CAP support regime will come to an end and by then there should be a clearer vision about what will succeed it.

We are keen to encourage applicants with an interest not only in animal husbandry but also the environment. There is already a Higher Level Stewardship Agreement on the home farm and they see the opportunity for the successful applicant to use the unique qualities of landscape, biodiversity and the history of the 750 year old estate to add value to products using for example visitors to the house and gardens and holiday accommodation nearby.

Details are available from admin@fursdon.co.uk and viewing and interviews will take place in August.

Enquiries

For all press enquiries, contact David Fursdon on 07970 089526, or 01392 860860 (david@fursdon.co.uk).

For all farm enquiries, contact Judi Chambers or Debbie Gale on 01392 860860 (admin@fursdon.co.uk).