Key points farmers need government to address
Continuity and stability are the key words with a majority government now in place, environment and farming ministers appointed and a suite of local MPs who should understand the needs of their rural constituencies, writes Tim Perkins.
There are a number of key issues for farmers and other rural businesses in Shropshire that the government needs to promptly turn its attention to.
Broadband and mobile phone coverage: Rural businesses must be able to compete with urban-based businesses – and communications are key. The Conservatives have said that they will hold mobile phone operators to a promise to provide 90 per cent coverage of the UK land mass by 2017, and will continue to invest in superfast broadband to provide coverage to 95 per cent of the UK by the end of 2017.
Bovine TB: This was a hot topic in the early 1900s. Little would anyone think it would remain so contentious into the 21st century. The government must hold firm in its commitment to eradicate bovine TB within 25 years, the current cost of which is estimated to be one billion pounds over the next 10 years.
Red tape: Food producers suffer more regulation and red tape than most. Much of this is poorly administered and co-ordinated, with duplication and a lack of understanding of its implementation. The government has promised to take steps to start to address this by creating a body to co-ordinate farm inspections and eradicate unnecessary and time consuming doubling-up of these. This is cannot come too soon.
Europe: Mr Cameron will have some big issues to negotiate, after which he has promised the referendum. But while reform and simplification on the CAP should be welcome, this should not compromise direct payments to farmers which provide the essential stability the industry requires.
Supermarkets: Too often small food producers remain at the mercy of large retailers which is, in the long term, unsustainable and to no-one's benefit. Similar issues are also present for the UK's dairy producers. The government must continue to address this.
If the government's manifesto promises are kept we look forward to a sustainable future for the region's farmers and other rural businesses. The mandate given to them through this election is to hit the ground running.
* Tim Perkins is a partner in Balfours Property Professsionals
