I THINK it’s despicable that our major retailers claim to support British agriculture, yet at the same time continue to use us as a punch bag in schemes to beat their competitors.

The latest price war was started last week by Tesco, who slashed the price of milk in its stores from 35p per litre to 25p – a drop of 28 per cent. Asda, Waitrose and the Co-op all followed suit, with Morrisons opting to duck below the others at 24p a pint.

Tesco announced that the price cuts would not be passed on to farmers, which I find hard to believe when the farm gate price is running about 34p per litre – a level which has only been achieved in the last six months after many years below the cost of production.

The targeting by the supermarkets of British producers of fresh vegetables, milk and meat is just unacceptable.

If they want to have a price war, why can’t they do it with products that don’t have a direct impact upon our farmers.

I know times are hard but if you want to make a point next time you visit Morrisons, tell them you don’t approve.

 

ACTION PLAN FOR SOMERSET LEVELS

True to his word, environment minster Owen Paterson has produced a five-point action plan to help protect Somerset from future flooding.

I think it has great relevance for Ryedale and indeed the whole Derwent catchment area and I believe we should follow Somerset’s example.

 

EASIER PLANNING TO DEVELOP FARM BUILDINGS

The minister for local planning, Nick Boles, has expressed the government’s continued commitment to reform the planning system to make it simpler, clearer and easier for the public to use.

In his latest ministerial statement, he makes various proposals which are to be put before parliament, and the major one affecting agriculture is the change of use for redundant farm buildings to residential development.

These reforms will make better use of redundant or under-used buildings and increase rural housing without the necessity of new buildings in the countryside.

The proposal is that through permitted development up to 450 sq m of buildings on a farm will be able to change their use to provide a maximum of three houses.

First indications are that we will not have to go through a full planning process but should be able to achieve a change of use through prior approval.

Unfortunately, but probably quite rightly, the new regulation will notapply to National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; but the government has issued instruction to the bodies controlling protected landscapes to take a more balanced attitude to applications for change of use.

 

CONSIDERING SUCCESSION

I see in last week’s Farmers’ Guardian that there is a special focus on business succession.

I would entirely endorse the vital need for every family farming business to address the issue of succession.

It’s simply not fair to bury one’s head in the sand and leave it to the next generation after we are gone.

With some forethought we can ensure that our assets and business are dealt with as we would wish to see.

I don’t pretend decisions are easy, but these few pointers might help:-

• List all your assets together with some approximate values.

• Decide how you would ultimately like these assets to be divided among your family.

• Look at divesting some assets now; this may be more tax efficient than leaving it until death.

• Timing is always important and it is essential to leave enough money and assets upon which to live comfortably in retirement.

• A family meeting may be a good forum for discussion but you will need independent advice; and in this regard I would humbly suggest that my own profession of valuer is better placed than most to help.

• When your plan is made, make sure that it is documented and updated regularly.