With many sectors of farming currently under severe pressure, we are seeking your support to demonstrate to politicians and policy makers just how much our rural economy depends on agriculture.
• British beef and lamb prices have taken a real knock and yet retailers continue to import product from overseas.
• Milk prices have tumbled at a farm gate level by up to 33 per cent- meaning around 10ppl wiped off the price farmers receive.
• For those producing cereals, potatoes and other field vegetables, prices have fallen to the extent where they are being sold far below the costs of production.
Farmers aim to run their businesses in a responsible and sustainable way. This means that in the good times, farmers will invest and in turn benefit the local economy. This helps them to see out the difficult times with businesses that are still in good heart. However, the current run of slashed farm-gate prices mixed with a general trend of volatility means that the good times just aren’t appearing – and when they do, they are gone just as quickly as they arrived.
If your business offers supplies or support to South West farmers, please could you spare a few moments to complete our survey. A PDF version can be downloaded here, or by clicking on 'related documents' below.