Hill Farmers

Our hill farmers get second-worst deal in EU

Edward is campaigning for more fairness in the distribution of EU hill farm subsidies. Whitehall gives our upland farmers the second-lowest handout in the EU: "The way the British government distributes this subsidy does not take hardship into account" said Edward, from a farming background himself.

Yorkshire Dales farmers explain how the British government allocates EU subsidies unfairly. Edward McMillan-Scott pledged to try and get the EU to adopt the same upland policy across all of the EU.

The Hill Farming Allowance has been a direct payment to farmers because of the difficulties they face in farming in poor areas which can restrict their ability to be more productive. Part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments and administered by the British government, it is currently under review.

The CAP itself is about to undergo a major scrutiny during 2008: "This will provide me with a real chance to get some sense into the most indefensible market-rigging - and help those really in need." says Edward.

Background

"UK uplands have been grazed by livestock for
thousands of years. By medieval times there had
already been a long history of woodland clearance
and grazing. From the 12th to the 14th Centuries,
the monasteries introduced extensive sheep
grazing in the uplands to produce wool. This predates
the use of moorlands for grouse shooting,
which only became popular in the 18th Century.

"In the second half of the last Century, changes in
agricultural subsidies and economic pressures
vastly increased upland sheep numbers, while
rising costs and lack of skilled labour meant that
some management, like shepherding, became less
intensive. Now, new changes to agricultural policy
and the changing way that uplands are perceived
and valued poses some serious."

Source, The Future of Uplands, Leeds University 2007

News

Edward discusses the region’s farming issues with farmer and Conservative prospective candidate Julian Sturdy (right) on his Vale of York farm.
As the National Farmers Union celebrates its centenary, Edward met NFU representatives in York and urged them to fight harder for a fairer distribution of farming subsidies for Yorkshire’s struggling hill farmers. More....

Edward paid a pre-Christmas visit to the Kelly family, who farm near Danby in the North Yorkshire Moors.

With five sons under ten years old, the Kelly's - pictured here with a Northern Echo reporter - find upland farming a financial struggle:

"It is scandalous that English hill farmers, who really do deserve help frpm both Brussels and London, get the second-lowest subsidy in the EU" said Edward, who the same evening spoke at an emergency meeting of Yorkshire hill farmers organised by Cllr Tim Lawn.

Above: Edward talks to Goathland farmer Reg Peirson about the knock-on effect of diseases like bluetongue and Foot and Mouth on the vulnerable hill farming sector