Interdependence: farming in the rural economy

As farm incomes fell in the past two years,

thousands of jobs have gone in allied industries:

 vets, feed and machinery suppliers.1

David and Rosemary Jones of Trebersed Farm, Carmarthen, highlighted the importance of farming to the rural economy by presenting their accounts which reveal that in an eight-month period they paid 117 separate rural businesses and companies for work done or goods supplied. The yearly total is estimated at 130 suppliers.2

“There were small bills of up to £30 for repairs to machinery, farm-buildings, equipment and larger bills for feed and fertiliser. What it does is to bring home to us – and we hope that the politicians will take note – is just how dependent the rural economic structure is on farming. Without farming, there would be a domino effect, with the closure of a whole raft of small firms. It is a message all of us should consider well.” 

Ruth and Richard Burrows, Devonshire farmers, assembled suppliers representing 3000 others whose livelihoods depend on them and other farmers. A photograph was taken with notes giving the names and roles of the people pictured.  Mrs Burrows said: “They are living proof of the importance of the spending power of the farmer and how enormously important agriculture is in terms of the entire economic structure around here.”

The rural communities of Britain tick over on a system of mutual dependency of which the farm often forms the hub. If it goes to the wall, dozens of ancillary trades suffer.3

Hilary Wilson, a member of a traditional Cumbrian farming family which produces livestock, writes: “I realise that if our prices go up, the supermarkets will import cheaper meat which has not necessarily been reared to our welfare standards. I am watching my community die out because of this and of course with it goes the farming and food culture, traditional practices and breeds of this part of Britain. With it also goes the world heritage landscape that so many people come to see. Sadly, as far as I can see, ‘cheap food’ brings exploitation of either people, animals or the earth”.4

  1. Farmers suffer under the yoke of global forces, Juliette Jowit, Financial Times 2.5.00
  2. Rural economy: Farmers Guardian 19.3.99
  3. The web of rural ruin, Richard Price, Daily Mail, 23.9.99
  4. By email: 15.5.05

 

BP 28.8.05

 

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