Jersey Government’s Bold Move to Rejuvenate farming and fishing industries
In a significant stride towards securing the future of Jersey’s farming and fishing industries, Members of the Jersey States have unanimously agreed to inject additional funds, earmarked at £6.7 million for the upcoming year.
The decision comes in response to mounting concerns about the precarious state of these pivotal sectors, which have found themselves on what Deputy Steve Luce describes as a proverbial “knife edge.”
Former Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce championed the cause, putting forth a compelling proposition that resonated with 43 state members.
Deputy Luce underscored the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the critical need for substantial financial support.
“I knew things weren’t good, but I never appreciated how bad it had become. Farming and fishing, Jersey’s oldest industries, are on a proverbial knife edge because, in the last few years, we have seen the number of arable farmers decrease from more than 200 to barely double figures.
“The herd numbers of our Jersey cows, which were around 1,000 in 1954, have now fallen to a level of only 12. The number of boats in our fishing fleet has reduced from 398 in 1996 to 114 in 2021, down more than two thirds, and those fishermen continue to leave our industry,” he expressed.
Over recent years, the farming landscape has witnessed a drastic decline, with arable farmers plummeting from over 200 to just barely double figures.
The iconic Jersey cows, numbering around 1,000 in 1954, now stand at a mere 12.
Simultaneously, the fishing fleet has seen a staggering reduction from 398 vessels in 1996 to a meager 114 in 2021, with fishermen steadily exiting the industry.
Deputy Luce lamented the historical trend of diminishing support from successive state assemblies over the past 25 years, leading to a considerable reduction in the workforce within the agriculture and fishing sectors.
In a resolute stance, he asserted that the current Assembly must break this pattern and recommit to providing the necessary support for the countryside and environment.
“It may have been said before but farming and fishing, Jersey’s oldest industries, are on a proverbial knife edge,” Deputy Luce reiterated.
The unanimous backing of Deputy Luce’s proposal by the States Members signifies a collective recognition of the urgency and importance of shoring up these vital sectors. Only Deputy Philip Ozouf abstained from the vote.
Reacting to this landmark decision, Phil Le Maistre, a prominent Jersey farmer and Chairman of the Milk Marketing Board, highlighted the inadequacy of current agricultural support, stating,
“Support for agriculture in Jersey is roughly £30 per capita, whereas in other jurisdictions in Europe, it’s £118.
“This is going to get us closer on par, as all we have ever asked for is to have a level playing field, because then we can grow whatever we want.”
He expressed optimism that the approved funding would bring them closer to a level playing field, allowing local farmers the flexibility to cultivate crops aligned with demand.
However, it’s essential to note that the additional funding does not explicitly account for potential post-2024 increases in the minimum wage beyond inflation.
This aspect raises concerns within the farming community about the financial viability of their operations in the coming years.
Vegetable farmer Christine Hellio, reflecting the collective sentiment, voiced anxieties about the minimum wage and its potential repercussions.
“We are all really anxious as farmers with the minimum wage, because the figures don’t add up – they don’t,” she remarked, acknowledging the belated yet appreciated support.
Adding;
“So even though they are saying they understand the farming community, this has been very late in coming. Thank you for supporting us, but really, it should have come before, and let’s just hope it’s not too little, too late.”
Hellio stressed that this support should have come earlier and hoped it wasn’t too little, too late.
In light of the decision, there is a growing call within the farming community for the government to go beyond financial aid and play a more active role in promoting local produce in Jersey’s supermarkets. This move could further fortify the local agricultural economy and ensure sustained growth.
As Jersey takes this bold step to bolster its farming and fishing industries, the future appears to be at a crucial juncture, with the hope that these measures will usher in a new era of stability and prosperity for the island’s agricultural and fishing communities.
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