Future of farms in spotlight, Teesdale Mercury

A RADICAL rethink of support for hill farmers is needed before it’s too late, says a report that claims well-intended schemes are damaging our uplands.

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) said hill farmers will play a crucial role if rising food prices, climate change and a growing world population lead to more pressure on food production. 

But foot-and-mouth outbreaks and a lack of young people have badly affected the viability of hill farming, the watchdog said.

Its report added that there was a marked reduction in livestock numbers as a result of “de-coupling” of support, the response to the Single Farm Payment and environmental policies.

Projects that had failed the uplands were not named in the report.

However, the research echoes the fears of some Teesdale sheep farmers, who claim Natural England is more interested in preserving plants than farming.

In an effort to stop overgrazing, grants are offered to farmers for moving their sheep off the fells. However, some farmers say it means there aren’t enough animals to make the land profitable.

Dr Stuart Burgess, chairman of the CRC, said decisions on the amount of livestock on the land should be made locally.

He also called for a new national strategy to help hill farmers, with a single individual responsible for the uplands.

He said: “There needs to be a fundamental shift in the way the uplands are viewed. 

“Rather than be seen as areas of disadvantage, they should be considered for their high potential to offer significant public benefits. 

“The continued availability of these benefits is, however, bound up with the wider future of the uplands, and this now needs to be properly recognised.”

Dr Burgess said new funding schemes were required as part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 2013.

The report, which looked at all of Britain’s uplands including Teesdale, said: “Many hill farmers have become isolated, overwhelmed by bureaucracy and fearful for the future, particularly in relation to CAP reform and the impact on funding and their ability to continue farming and land management.

“Many hill farming businesses operate at the margins of financial viability, with low, or even negative, returns on labour and capital. Farm succession within families is also a commonly held concern.”

Rural communities were worried about an ageing population and the loss of young people, Dr Burgess said.

“While this picture is characteristic of most rural areas, we were told of particular issues around the loss of those with the knowledge and 

understanding of the uplands,” he said.

He added: “Common with many other rural areas, high demand from incomers to areas of landscape beauty, coupled with low supply, relatively lower local wages and restrictive planning arrangements mean that little housing is available for young people and those on low wages.”

There were also a steady decline in the number and range of local services.

The inquiry said there needed to be a review of the Upland Entry Level Scheme.

It said farmers and landlords should be rewarded for protecting the landscape, providing clean water, storing carbon and preventing floods.

The Country Land and Business Association said the report needed more depth.

Vice president Henry Robinson said: “This report is perceptive and intelligent and it tries to address the needs of the uplands.

“The English Uplands provide both the food we need and a wonderful variety of wildlife and landscapes.

“I very much hope that those making the decisions on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy fully take account of the contents of the report to ensure this continues to be the case.”