The government must take action to transform the British heartland putting farming first to revitalise rural areas, according to a new policy paper from UK think tank Parliament Street. The report, entitled Sustaining the Heartland: Challenges of rural communities, farming and agriculture, is highly critical of the current barriers facing rural communities, farms and the wider industry.

The 3,000-word research paper attacks the ‘Lack of investment from consecutive governments in agriculture and rural affairs,’ arguing that consecutive governments have left rural communities ‘severely challenged’. It adds that the UK heartland of the farming industry has been forgotten and neglected and is little more than a blind spot in the Westminster bubble.

Naomi Ferguson, director, Parliament Street and author of the report comments:

“From infrastructure challenges to poor digital connectivity, the day-to-day rural life of farming communities is getting harder by the minute. Against the backdrop of market towns suffering from the death of traditional highstreets, and the diversification of shopping habits, these critical heartlands have long been abandoned by the Westminster elite.

The government needs to wake-up to the huge contributions these areas make to the wider UK economy, supporting them with broadband, smarter transport and financial incentives. The wider public also have a crucial role to play, buying meat and goods from local providers to boost these critical industries and prevent large supermarkets from forcing closures of small companies.”

Key recommendations in the report include the government helping to develop a dynamic, innovative sector, accessible to new entrants, by developing measures, which reverse the loss of farms, particularly small ones.

Also, an evaluation of subsidies, grants and taxation affecting farmers and rural communities should be carried out in order to support profitable sustainable farming practices where possible. For arable farmers, opportunities to sequester carbon through use of cover crops and to be less 'intensive'.

Additionally, a national, industry led initiative to ensure better government support for farmers and the best possible trade deals for the industry along with more work to incentivise public procurement of local produce and meat.

The final recommendation is for more rural community support, for businesses and residents alike. Concentrating on better connectivity, transport facilities and small businesses.

Full report here: http://parliamentstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Sustaining-the-Heartland-Parliament-Street-Research.pdf