Council to host public meeting to address agricultural challenges

The second in a series of three public meetings highlighting important local issues of concern has been organised by North Devon Council with agriculture in the spotlight this time around.

A range of local experts, farmers, land agents and stakeholders will make up a panel which will also include district councillor and West Anstey farmer Robin Milton (Ind, Bishops Nympton).

The meeting will take place at Petroc College in Barnstaple on Thursday 23 May at 6.30pm and will be about raising awareness of the major issues facing the agricultural industry and exploring ways in which the council can help.

It follows a meeting on water quality in February attended by around 200 people and there is a dentistry one still to come. 

The meetings are being organised by the council’s policy development committee.

Chair of the committee Cllr Liz Spear (Lib Dem, Braunton East) said members of the panel would be asked how they see the current situation in farming; what the challenges are, how they think they can overcome them and how  they think North Devon Council can help.

Representatives from the National Farmers’ Union, North Devon Plus, the Exmoor Hill Farming Network, North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Partnership and Mole Valley Farmers are all expected to be part of the panel.

“Before we can do anything we need to be aware of the problems and we want people to come along and listen to the panel, share their views and see how we can work together to help,” said Cllr Spear. 

“We know farming is a lonely job and as well as the isolation there is so much confusion and uncertainty at the moment over the changes in the way subsidies are given.

“Agriculture is such a vital industry for North Devon and it is important that we hear from those involved to recognise the challenges and opportunities the industry faces. We look forward to a positive and constructive discussion.”

Cllr Robin Milton said three quarters of the farms within his ward had gone in the last 35 years and Butchers Row in Barnstaple was now a shadow of its former self with only about two butchery businesses left. 

Meanwhile much of the meat people were eating was imported, and they didn’t have a clue where it came from, he said.

“What I think we need is some insight into what is happening. The rural economy needs to be able to thrive. Economic development is very much focused on the urban areas but much of North Devon is rural and contains parts of Exmoor Park which has very few residents but very large areas of land to control.”

He said farmers were facing pressure from development, tourism, new policies on the environment, the demands of net zero and offsetting carbon emissions.

“Farmers can provide a huge amount of environmental gain but their farms need to be sustainable and profitable. A lowland beef and sheep farm, which is what most farms are in this area, can expect to bring in an income of £20,000, that is not sustainable.”

The National Farmers’ Union has just revealed that farmers’ confidence is at an all time low with profits continuing to fall, after conducting a survey at the end of last year.

“We don’t not value our rural economy enough and we need to start thinking how we can change that,” said Cllr Milton. “We must recognise the value of what we have close to home because if we do not look after it, it will never come back.

“This meeting will start the conversation. Let’s find out what’s happening out there and engage with each other and see how we can support the future of farming.”