I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.1 in 4 English farmers 'living in poverty'
A QUARTER of farm households in England are living in poverty, according to official figures released by Defra.
Responding to a Parliamentary Question about the number of farmers who live in poverty, Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said 25 per cent of farm households were ‘below the modified low income threshold’.
Shadow Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, who tabled the question, the figures showed ‘how tough life is for many farmers’. He blamed excessive Government regulation for the plight many farmers are suffering.
“Despite welcome increases in incomes large numbers of farm businesses are barely breaking even as the costs and regulatory burdens imposed by Government increase,” he said.
“In recent years thousands of farmers have quit the industry, weakening our supply base and leaving us more reliant on imports of food we could produce ourselves.
“Our agricultural industry is a national asset but too often under the current Government farmers have been undervalued and undermined.”
Defra hit back, pointing out that farm incomes are on the up.
“Farm households estimated to be below the modified low income threshold have decreased from 30 per cent in 2006/07 to 25 per cent in 2007/08,” a Department spokesperson said.
She added that the latest estimates of farm income for 2008/09, which show a 6 per cent on the previous year, ‘show the resilience of Britain’s farm businesses in a difficult economic climate’.
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Readers' comments (2)
john tuck | 3 December 2009 5:45 pm
How many of the difference between the 30% of farmers in poverty in 2006/7 contributed to reduction to 25% in the following year by increasing their income, and how many gave up?
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Sarah Brown, Farm Crisis Network | 4 December 2009 10:02 am
At last the news is out! Thankyou Mr Paice and Mr Fitzpatrick. Almost 50% of the current Farm Crisis Network caseload relates to serious financial problems and insolvency. This leads directly to other difficulties such as declining animal welfare, depression, ill health and family break up which in turn have an impact on the farm business and the ability to deal with regulation and form-filling which leads to penalties and further hardship. For some time now FCN has been attempting to win industry support for a farm finance and insolvency service. The idea has been dismissed for lack of hard evidence. After all, the banks are very happy with the performance of the agricultural sector at present and it is true that the long-term prospects for farming look better now than they have for many years. The question must be whether 25% of farmers living in poverty is a big enough fact to elicit any action. Typically those in the greatest need can afford neither representation nor financial advice. FCN struggles with this problem every day. Any suggestions anyone?
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