The group, brought together by Farming Minister David Heath in January, looked at the cultural change needed to enable forward-thinking entrepreneurs to thrive in an industry which is modernising, innovative and embracing new technology.
Over the past six months it has gathered ideas and views from those involved in farming including the NFU, science and from across horticulture and food industries. The NFU submitted a response as part of the consultation.
The review’s recommendations include:
- better promotion of the breadth of employment opportunities in farming;
- more advice for farmers on succession and retirement planning;
- better provision of affordable housing in rural areas for farmers;
- promoting farming as a highly skilled professional career;
- and industry taking greater responsibility for training including business skills for new entrants.
The next steps include a meeting of the FFR group with the Minister to present the findings of the report and a workshop in the autumn with the stakeholders in order to translate the recommendations into actions. A review of the progress made should take place in two years. Read the report in full on the Defra site here.
NFU Comment:
NFU head of policy Andrew Clark said: “The NFU welcomes today’s Future of Farming report and its recommendations make thought-provoking reading. There is no doubt that promoting farming as a career path, creating the challenge for life-long business progression, and coordinating industry support, as well as a much- needed focus on skilled graduates are all essential to the continued success of the farming industry.
“We are pleased to see that succession planning is tackled in the report and is highlighted as part of the recommendations, particularly as this issue is also high on the agenda of the NFU Next Generation Policy Forum. In this respect, the review group’s proposal on age-limiting Inheritance Tax appears radical but is designed to promote active discussion and succession planning within family farming partnerships: we'd support the aim if not the means.
“However, as the report implies, their recommendations should stimulate the debate between Government and the industry. Indeed, it is worth highlighting that although the report has been supported by Defra, it highlights the range of government departments (beyond Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) that can help shape farming’s future with regard to education, taxation and housing policy. If we are to make genuine progress in tackling issues around new entrants, the debate has to be wider than Defra, with all relevant parties analysing the proposed solutions to the new entrants challenge that our industry faces.”