The role of British farmers today

[brynseiri]

As the post brexit discussions turn to farming, and farming subsidies, I hear things that get up my nose a bit. The head of the National Trust quoted as saying that the lions share of subsidies should go to conservation projects. Great, I thought farm subsidies were to produce cheap food, not line the pockets of large organisations that do Fock all. Then whispers of subsidies being based on carbon emissions, so again those who do Fock all with tracts of useless land such as the RSPB and national trust gain the lions share. So what is the farmers role today? Should subsidies somehow swing back to production? Should they be scrapped altogether? What ever happened to feeding the nation?

 

[two-cylinder]

Having to sell our produce at world market prices whilst living in an expensive economy, post brexit British farmers will need subsidy to survive and compete.
That's the message we have to get across.

 

[brynseiri]

My issue with the subsidy system is, too large a portion is allocated to the wrong people, those who don't produce food whatsoever. Why do they need such large subsidies to look after nature? All I do to promote nature is leave it the Fock alone, and nature does its own thing, it costs nothing. The national trust for example, don't have to take land out of production to promote nature, so they need nothing in the way of farm subsidies. I'm of the opinion that if farm subsidies in Britain are to continue, then they should be paid for producing food directly, not for conservation of useless mountains and bogs, that if left alone flourish anyway.

 

[milkloss]

The farmers role imo is to produce food for the nation whilst providing a nice environment for the nation to enjoy as well as flood protection etc etc.

NGOs aren't farmers and shouldn't be subsidised.

 

[brynseiri]

I'm not keen on the idea of keeping the landscape as it is in return for payment- the landscape will always remain as it is, hedges are cheap to maintain, good shelter, and can be altered to suit requirements, just by how you cut them. No farmer would rip them up. I think it very condescending that farmers can't be trusted to look after what they've got. The regulators of food ensure the public aren't poisoned, the regulators of the environment ensure only safe agrochemicals are available for sale, as well as ensure the safety of the environment, so why not let farmers get on with it, support the industry, offer incentives to improve genetics, improve productivity, buildings. Just throwing cash at fallow land, and burning woodchip is a false economy, it's bound to fall on its arse.

 

[Kevtherev]

Some of the people who work in government are much to blame some more bent than a roundabout

 

[orchard]

It's not cheap to re-home badgers underwater

 

[Kevtherev]

Readymix is best for badgers

 

[czechmate]

I'm not keen on the idea of keeping the landscape as it is in return for payment- the landscape will always remain as it is, hedges are cheap to maintain, good shelter, and can be altered to suit requirements, just by how you cut them. No farmer would rip them up. I think it very condescending that farmers can't be trusted to look after what they've got. The regulators of food ensure the public aren't poisoned, the regulators of the environment ensure only safe agrochemicals are available for sale, as well as ensure the safety of the environment, so why not let farmers get on with it, support the industry, offer incentives to improve genetics, improve productivity, buildings. Just throwing cash at fallow land, and burning woodchip is a false economy, it's bound to fall on its arse.

When were you born?
Farmers ripped out thousands of miles of hedges.
It's not condescending, a lot of farmers can't be trusted to look after what they have.
Sad but true.

 

[DrDunc]

All the quangos, trusts and associated charities are queuing up with their hands out to grasp agricultural subsidies post Brexit.

Despite what some ardent anti EU posters on here might say, to compete on an international market, UK produce cost of production is high in comparison to practically every other world country.

Where are the farming groups lobbying for UK produce for uk consumers?

Too busy bickering?

 

[Kevtherev]

I'd say it's a minority of farmers that can't be trusted to look after things

 

[topground]

Subsidies don't keep food prices down, the market controls prices up or down with the laws of supply and demand. ( If you have a contrary view please set your reasons down clearly for the benefit of this Wurzel)
Subsidies are a means of pumping money into the rural economy to keep people in work both directly in agriculture and in the industries that support agriculture. Machinery dealers, the supply industry, hauliers etc and through that rural schools, shops, pubs and life in the sticks in general. All the while giving government control over land management.
Organisations like the rspb and National Trust must demonstrate that they are recyclng that money into the rural econmy in the way that I and other farmers do in order to draw the sub. Where do the higher echelons of these organisatins live? I suspect they are probably using that sub to pay high salaries to directors and hangers in most of whom I suspect are urban dwellers

 

[Bald Rick]

Personally I think we're all in for a good bumming when we leave the EU as this government will throw agriculture on the bonfire of free trade agreements with countries with poor welfare & controls but cheap labour and ample land resources.
Still, I'd rather be a dairy farmer than in any other sector
As for subsidies, I would like to see a British wide agricultural policy offers no or low interest loans for those who want to embrace technology etc and perhaps an exit strategy for those who have had enough
It's going to be a bumpy ride

 

[czechmate]

I'd say it's a minority of farmers that can't be trusted to look after things

I will agree the minority is smaller...

Than it was before subs with cross compliance rules

 

[brynseiri]

When were you born?
Farmers ripped out thousands of miles of hedges.
It's not condescending, a lot of farmers can't be trusted to look after what they have.
Sad but true.

They haven't ripped them up in 40 odd years at least.

 

[brynseiri]

I will agree the minority is smaller...

Than it was before subs with cross compliance rules

I take it you have a lot in stewardship?

 

[czechmate]

They haven't ripped them up in 40 odd years at least.

Of course not, in the grain belt, there's non left

 

[spin cycle]

IMO the role of the farmer is to look after his own farm/business and not give two hoots whether there is food in the shops or not.....thats govt and supermarkets job....and..just recently signs supermarkets might soon be starting to panic a little

'farmers' grow crops that earn money....if thats a huge field of gm maize or a scrub covered wilderness it doesn't matter....whichever pays

 

[czechmate]

I take it you have a lot in stewardship?

Nope, never have

 

[Campani]

I'm not sure subsidies have any effect on food prices. And it is definitely not the best way of propping up the rural economy. If you want to support rural pubs and shops, give the subsidy to rural pubs and shops not to farmers who spend it on more land or foreign tractors.