Loading ...How does the UK public view farming?
Farmers in the UK need the support of the general public if they are to survive and not lose out to cheap imported produce. This question was put to Lord Heseltine when Farmers Weekly Interactive recently held an exclusive interview with him.
The interview is definitely worth a read (the above link will take you to the interview), I certainly wouldn’t have had Lord Heseltine on my list of 1 billion people that know anything about farming, however it seems appearances can be deceiving.
As a lover of our countryside and a staunch supporter of British farming the question that interested me the most was “How do you think society views farming?”, to which he replied:
“Generally I think it has a pretty benign perception of it. It has a love of the countryside and a respect for farmers, but not for farmers who show no respect for the countryside, who only think of the task of the day, and don’t take account of proper waste disposal, for example. Nobody would support that and I know it is a very small part of farmers that have anything to do with that sort of thing. Considering the scale involved I think the industry comes out pretty well. But in an increasingly affluent society the pressures on intensive farming will become greater.”
What an excellent observation, in my opinion. Farmers are seen not only as the producers of our food but also as the custodians of the countryside.
As with the issue of how animals are reared and slaughtered, with the public crying blue murder if an animal is distressed but also opting for the cheapest imported meat they can buy, the public can also be fickle when it comes to their opinion of land care.
They will happily drive out to the country with a boot full of diy builders rubble or an old fridge to dump in our countryside but do not take kindly to accidental spills, unmanaged gates and fencing or mud left on the road from tractors (it’s very slippy when you are in your sports car doing 80 mph in a narrow country lane).
Just google “farmer fined for spillage” and see how many reports show up, it’s a little concerning. I know from experience that accidents sometimes happen but are you, as farmers, doing enough to limit the possibility and care for the countryside?
It is all very well demanding that the public should support British farming but in order to earn that support we must surely have to consider the issues that concern the public.
A short drive to the village shop takes me past a farm that is little more than a scrap heap, with heaven knows what seeping into the gullies. There are old cars, tractors and oil drums littering the yard, the gates and fences are held together with bailer twine and the road is often totally impassable. Yet this chap is at every meeting insisting that the UK public MUST support our farming industry (perhaps the irony is lost on him?).
I hasten to add that most of our neighbours take great care of their land and are very aware of how the public view their custodianship of the countryside but I do wonder whether we should be doing more to bring the rogue farmers into line. It is too easy to say “it is none of my business” but if your land is adjoining his or you share a water course somewhere down the line I would strongly suggest it is your business. Yet when I suggest this I am told “it’s nowt to do wi me lass”.
I just wonder if that’s a good enough answer and if the public would accept it?
May 17th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Good point Sally!
The work of farmers will chance. Thet production of food will get less important but their care of nature, culture and invirement will become their main issue. Not only keeping their land clean, but also preserving the vieuws, teaching children and protecting indangered animals.
Look at The Netherlands where gouverment rules made the farmers keeping their cows in the stables to prevent air and water pollution. The non-farming people rose up to the gouverment and now the farmers are paid to keep the cows outside in the summer.