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 This
section of E4B is aimed specifically at the Cumbrian
farming industry. The following sections provide practical
information and advice on improving environmental performance
and sources of financial assistance for environmental
schemes along with links to further related sources
of on-line information.
Background
The past 5 years has seen the UK farming industry slump
into economic depression that has resulted in a 60%
reduction in farm incomes. This depression has been
brought about by a combination of factors including;
the high value of the pound, the BSE crisis, poor weather
conditions and more recently the outbreak of Foot and
Mouth. Nearly 18,000 farmers and farm workers lost their
jobs in 2002. Job losses from the industry in England
alone in the six years to 2002 top more than 65,000.
(source NFU)
The average UK farmer
earned just £5,200 for the financial year to February
2001
The economic crisis is already bringing about major
restructuring within the agricultural industry. It is
widely recognised that production based CAP subsidies
have damaged the countryside and stifled innovation.
The Government is pushing for reform by which agricultural
support will be directed away from production subsides
towards measures that deliver environmental benefits
and has recently established the England
Rural Development Programme (EDRP). The EDRP provides
financial assistance to farmers to advance environmentally
beneficial farming practices and also to develop and
promote rural enterprise and diversification.
The agricultural crisis has forced many farmers to
reassess their financial position and look at diversifying
into other business areas. Implementing environmental
schemes is one way of generating extra income and also
recognises the role that farmers play in protecting
the countryside.
For further information select one of the subject areas
below
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