Issue - meetings

To consider the following Notice of Motion, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1, by Councillor Malcolm Wade, seconded by Councillor David Harrison:

Support for Farmers

The cost of living crisis affects all areas of our nation. However many members of the farming community, so important in the production of 54% of the nation’s food supply, are struggling to survive in the current financial environment and this includes many of Hampshire’s farmers.

This council notes the cost of animal feed is up by 60% and fertilizer cost by 200%. In the last year, these and other increased costs are against a back drop of reduced financial support from the government with some farms losing up to 20% of their income this way. This is either forcing many farmers to give up their farms or raise food prices to survive further impacting the cost of living of ordinary Hampshire residents.

This council recognises that government funding schemes to help farmers exist but they do not go far enough nor give the support needed in the current financial environment. Large pay outs to farmers, who sell off their farm land do nothing to support food producing farmers nor help reduce food prices.

Therefore this council will write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressing its concern about financial state of the farming community and request greater financial support for Farmers to be able to continue to produce food for the UK market at sustainable prices.

The Council considered the revised Notice of Motion (as published) proposed by Councillor Malcolm Wade and seconded by Councillor David Harrison, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1.

No Amendments were proposed.

During the course of debate, Members noted the work being done to support County farms, both entrant farmers and existing tenant farmers by providing advice to help them with the significant amount of change in the industry, new technology, signposting to grant opportunities and helping them to build up their skills and businesses.  Members also and acknowledged the work local farmers were doing to .reduce carbon emissions, which was to be welcomed.  Education and promoting farming as a profession was important and Members noted the recent “Farm My Food” event involving 160 young people learning about agriculture and its processes, where their food comes from and the career path into farming.  It was also highlighted that Sparsholt College was aiming to be a Centre of Excellence for farming studies.   It was also highlighted that everyone can do their bit by buying locally and supporting the many food markets and outlets across Hampshire.

Concern was expressed about the impact on the future of farming in regard to  climate change, market fluctuations such as the price of fuel, cattle feed and so on, the pressure of increased food production and competing in an often unstable global market, together with the sale of agricultural land for other purposes and the challenges presented by the need to have nitrate mitigation systems in place.

In conclusion of the debate, the importance of having a sustainable agricultural sector was recognised.

The Leader confirmed the Administration supported the revised Motion.

The revised Motion was put to the vote and supported by the majority of Members present, and it was

RESOLVED:

That this Council will write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressing its concern about the financial state of the farming community and request greater financial support for farmers to be able to continue to produce food for the UK market at sustainable prices.