Over half of Cornish farmers living in poverty
More than half of Cornish farmers are living in official poverty, according to figures obtained by Cornwall’s Liberal Democrat MPs.
55% of farmer households in Cornwall are surviving on an income of under £13,800 a year – before tax. This leaves farmers well below the low income threshold according to the Government’s own calculations.
Across the country approximately a third of farmer households live in official poverty, and in the South West the figure is 37%. In Cornwall, however, the figure jumps to more than one in two.
The findings confirm the financial crisis gripping the local industry. Pressures on farmers have grown as large retailers have increasingly monopolised local markets and produce is increasingly sourced at cut prices using retailers’ market dominance to force farmers to sell unprofitably or by using imports from abroad. Cornwall’s MPs are also investigating the extent of the hardship caused by the Rural Payment’s Agency mishandled payment of the new single payment scheme in Cornwall, the damage of which is still being felt by local farmers.
Commenting, MP for Truro & St Austell Matthew Taylor said:
“Many local farmers have been forced to pay out of their own pockets to survive as large retailers either force their prices down or import produce from abroad. The Government continues to allow supermarkets to treat farmers unfairly, and as a result hard-working family businesses are scraping by on meagre amounts and face the constant threat of closure.
“What is more, the bungled single payment scheme has forced many farmers over their overdrafts and into crippling debt. Farmers are having to sit by and watch their businesses fail because of Government incompetence.”
The findings have been provided to Cornwall’s Liberal Democrat MPs by DEFRA as part of a study the MPs are conducting into Cornwall’s farming and fishing industries, due for release later in the summer.
MP for North Cornwall Dan Rogerson added:
“This new research reveals the disproportionate effect Ministers’ incompetence has had on farmers here in Cornwall.
“The new Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn, should admit the mistakes his Government have made in the past, apologise and then say what he will do for hardworking farming families in Cornwall and across the country. If he fails to take action the countryside will continue its slide towards becoming a themepark.”
