FINAL SAY Clodhopper
Politicians need 2020 vision for agriculture
Boris Johnson lacks public trust – and he has such a big majority he can do as he likes, says Clodhopper
C
an this really be it? After the landslide victory for Boris Johnson, in last month’s gene al election, it fi nally looks like
we will leave the European Union at the end of this month.
Some people believe farming does better under a Labour government. Perhaps they think Labour tries harder to woo the rural vote whereas the Conservatives think farm- ers will vote Tory no matter what. But what- ever your voting preference, can we trust an- ything that anymore says anymore? With his majority of 80 seats, Boris not only won last month’s election, he more or less ensured that the Conservatives will win the next election too. That means he will be Prime Minister for some time to come – prob- ably for the rest of the 2020s.
But trustworthy? I for one don’t trust an-
yone. The past few years have shown that today’s politicians – of all stripes – feel able to say what they like and then change their minds later, leaving promises unfulfi lled.
Maybe it was always that way. Maybe these days it is just more noticeable.
Basic payments Take one of the biggest issues facing farm- ers: the future of the basic payment. The To- ries want to phase it out. Yet they say have also guaranteed the current budget for agri- culture to 2024 – without saying how it will be spent. Will farmers continue to receive it? I think not.
Like the rest of the country, farmers need
certainty. Perhaps more so. Farming is a long- term business and requires long term stabil- ity. Nothing much should change in the short term but there are still too many unknowns to invest in anything agricultural. It is disappointing but perhaps not surpris- ing that real answers to basic questions are seldom forthcoming. It is easy to pledge extra funds but where does the money come from?
No guarantees
Despite purporting to value food, no major political party seems to value agriculture as a standalone industry. I guess it is not really surprising as fewer and fewer of us are em- ployed in farming. We are not seen as impor- tant voters any longer. Yet all we really want is a guarantee of fair
play and a market that rewards hard work. Unfortunately, the work “guarantee” has lit- tle real meaning in today’s world. Agricultural prices and commodity mar- kets seem to be dictated by the big players with lots of muscle. Alongside the weather, currency movements and political sentiment, of course. But these days it is mainly the big players.
Living wage
It makes it hard for farmers to afford the living wage for workers over 16 years. The liv- ing wage seems to ensure a fair amount for everyone except the farmer paying it – which doesn’t seem fair to me at all.
And all this at a time when Boris has more pressing things to deal with. In his mind, an- yway: how to leave the European Union on 31 January, keep us out of the EU single mar- ket and negotiate a trade agreement with the EU before the end of the year. By already ruling out an extension to the transition period, the government has real- ly nailed its colours to the mast. Or paint- ed itself into a corner – whichever metaphor you prefer. It promises to be another uncer- tain year – but at least we are a little clear- er where we are heading. I wish everyone all the best for 2020.
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