NFU Stress Need For Sustainable Replacement HFA Scheme
01/02/05

The NFU in the north west has stressed the importance of a replacement Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) scheme post 2006 if Defra are serious about supporting the continuation of farming in the uplands.

National Less Favoured Areas (LFA) spokesman and north west farmer, Will Cockbain, said: "When Margaret Beckett announced the details on single farm payment she also highlighted the vital role hill farming plays in conserving the landscape and the numerous public goods associated with its practise.

"We have seen the budget for the existing HFA scheme fall dramatically from where it first was initially and it is vital that we take the opportunity to look at exactly what is needed in the uplands post single farm payment, how it will be delivered and what the benefits will be.

"I firmly believe the current HFA budget will fail to deliver the kind of scheme the uplands requires for a sustainable future.

"Post single farm payment farmers have been urged to look at costs of production, many have started to do that now and what we are being told is that certain aspects of hill farming, especially in the suckler cow sector, are not adding up very well.

"Because of harsh terrain and lack of available fodder, many farmers have had to sell their calves before they were old enough to make a claim. They are going to be particularly badly hit as in the past the buyer was prepared to factor that into the purchase price, that is not going to happen in the future.

"We have also to look at the LFA dairy sector as these farmers are seeing a big reduction in their single farm payment. It is vital that areas such as Wensleydale and the Peak district are able to continue their production of world famous dairy products which also have huge value to other associated businesses.

"In the high hill areas we are already seeing farms being amalgamated and a lack of younger people coming into the industry for a range of reasons.

"This has started to lead to a quite dramatic breakdown in the traditional "hefted" system which relies on young legs and co operation between neighbours to effectively manage large tracts of land especially on the commons.

"This is on areas of high landscape value and where traditional farming has played a major role in the culture and tourist attracting potential of the region.

"If we miss the opportunity to ensure a medium to long term scheme that can deliver sustainability to the uplands by 2007 then I fear we could see a rapid decline of farming and its associated management of habitat and landscape as well as seeing the loss of some first class food production for ever."