New Forest District Council will write to the government to request greater support for farming community
A LETTER calling for greater financial support for the farmers amid spiralling costs will be sent to the government by New Forest District Council.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the full council when Cllr Malcolm Wade, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group, highlighted rising costs for farmers and the subsequent threat to land for commoners.
He said: "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 New Forest’s farmers.
"A thriving agricultural sector is crucial to New Forest’s economy, landscape, and environment."
He added the cost of animal feed had risen by 60% and fertilizer costs by 200% amid changes to subsidies that he claimed put some farms at risk of losing up to 20% of their income.
He said: "This is leading to many farmers to decide to give up their farms or raise food prices to survive, further impacting the cost of living of ordinary New Forest residents."
Cllr Wade said some farmers were being forced to sell their back-up land, which could have "a serious impact" on the sustainability of the ancient New Forest tradition of commoning if alternative support for local farmers was not made available.
He added: "The council recognises that government funding schemes to help farmers exist, but due to the current financial environment different approaches need to be considered to improve on the ongoing support."
Members agreed that the council should write to the environment secretary expressing its concerns about the financial state of the farming community and requesting greater financial support to produce food at sustainable prices.
Hampshire County Council has also recently pressed the government for more farming support and invited the environment secretary to visit.
