‘Help us to help ourselves’ Devon farmers tell Environment Secretary

Devon farmers’ leaders are keen to hear Environment Secretary Liz Truss’s proposals to help the industry cope with price volatility and relationships with retailers when she addresses the county’s annual open meeting on Friday (28 November).

It looks like being a tough autumn and winter for the region’s farmers, with low prices, restricted cash flows and uncertainty about the application process for the next round of Common Agricultural Policy funding and dealing with bovine TB adding to the challenges they face.

South West regional livestock board chairman Andy Foot has already written to the Secretary of State about the TB cattle movement restrictions – including preventing the partial de-restriction of TB-breakdown holdings and removing the TB testing exemption for cattle moved between holdings that are part of the same SOA – which began on 1 October.

The letter highlights many of the concerns members have raised about the restrictions, which could lead to cattle being TB tested in ‘off’ areas away from the main holding without proper handling facilities, or testing livestock whenever they are moved between milking facilities and land used for heifer rearing or housing dry cows.

Mr Foot points out the problems this will cause and asks Ms Truss to consider “practical solutions to enable businesses to continue to operate”.

The NFU’s Devon county chairman David Verney said: “Clearly the Government can’t do much to influence commodity price shifts, but I am hoping to hear from the Secretary of State about some of the areas where they can make a difference.

“Our industry is crucial to the region’s economy, supplying raw materials for the food and drink sector which is worth about five billion pounds a year to the South West.

“This is our opportunity to make our voice heard about issues that affect farmers in the region like prices, animal health, the availability of plant protection products, renewable energy and planning issues.

“We’re not looking for hand-outs or special treatment, but the Secretary of State can help put a framework in place that will enable us continue to produce top-quality food and look after the countryside, which would not be possible without profitable farming business contributing to a strong rural economy.”

NFU President Meurig Raymond will also be speaking at what is the first Devon annual meeting since his election.

“I’m heartened by the continued enthusiasm from Liz Truss to listen to the industry on areas where they can make a difference and I look forward to hearing what she has to say,” he said.