Whos for early retirement?
Whos for early retirement?
With the government expected
to announce its ideas on an
early retirement for the beef
sector in the coming weeks,
Catherine Hughes visited
Salisbury market on Tuesday
to canvass farmers opinions
on the idea
With the government expected
to announce its ideas on an
early retirement for the beef
sector in the coming weeks,
Catherine Hughes visited
Salisbury market on Tuesday
to canvass farmers opinions
on the idea
THE consensus at Salisbury market was that farmers who own their holdings do not retire, they live on the farm until the day they die, so any early retirement package would seem unlikely to appeal to them.
But tenant farmers with no children to succeed them in the tenancy are more interested in the scheme which, according to the NFU, could offer up to £25,000 to those hanging up their wellies.
Robert Foot from Tichborne, Hants, who share-farms in partnership with his father, said the scheme could be limited and could be difficult to implement with tenancy and partnership agreements.
Anthony Johnson, who runs beef and dairy enterprises at Coulston, Wilts, believed the scheme would result in farms getting bigger.
"I have heard farm minister, Jack Cunningham, say he wants farmers to be more efficient, yet in the same breath he wants the countryside preserved. You cant have both," he said. "Paying a subsidy for every person working in the countryside would be a better idea and cheaper."
The EU early retirement scheme already operates in 10 member states, including Ireland. Those taking on farms from retiring producers must already have land themselves; the scheme was originally devised to promote increased farm size.
Colin Walmsley, Wilts, said he would hate to retire. "I would not know what to do with myself." He added: "Let us just get rid of the beef ban rather than bringing in different schemes. And give us the compensation package that other countries have had."
In terms of restructuring existing schemes, Yvonne Hill, who rears calves with her husband, Rodney, at Fordingbridge, Hants, said an end to the calf processing scheme would be a good idea. Calves had doubled in price since the scheme was introduced, cutting the numbers the Hills could afford to buy and rear.
Dairy farmer Michael Green, a tenant in Ringwood, Wilts, said that an early retirement scheme would suit him. But, with rent prices so high, he doubted if young farmers would be encouraged in to the industry.
And his brother, John Green, who is also a tenant on the same estate said he planned to quit the farm in two years time, so he would love some money to retire on. *
Robert Foot… Scheme could be limited.
Anthony Johnson… Farms would get bigger.
Colin Walmsley says he would hate to retire.
Yvonne Hill… Get rid of calf scheme.
Michael Green… Retirement scheme appeals.
John Green… Would love some money to retire.