In the keynote speech at the Jersey Farming Conference yesterday, Environment Minister Steve Luce said that States money earmarked for the countryside would go where it was most needed.
The minister said it was a priority to come up with a Rural Economy Strategy that not only put funds to best effect but which also served the best interests of the wider rural economy.
‘The new Rural Economy Strategy, whatever that ends up being, must deliver funds to those out there working the land, keeping those brown Jersey cows in green Jersey fields – those that are striving to keep Jersey farming,’ he said.
Having fought off calls to cut next year’s rural budget, Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham told the 120 delegates at the event at the RJA&HS that Jersey must keep farming.
‘The countryside and the way it looks and feels is shaped by farming activity and is one of the contributing factors for attracting investors to the Island as it’s a very nice place to live. Farming is a part of the Island’s DNA that needs ongoing support to deliver the economic and environmental outcomes that society needs and values,’ he said.
Deputy Luce added: ‘Securing the funding for next year has allowed us to continue the current strategy for a further 12 months. We are working away to see how that will change after 2016 and, I have to tell you, that certain things will have to change,’ he said
Acknowledging the important role of agriculture in the Island’s economic future, Deputy Farnham said he intended to form a new body – Rural Jersey – to not only sustain the industry but to use it in the wider promotion of the Island.
‘It will promote everything rural, linking together Genuine Jersey, Visit Jersey, Jersey Business and the rural economy elements of EDD so that we can exploit the synergies between these bodies and create a “buzz” which can be picked-up and exploited by the industry,’ he said.
The conference also featured presentations on alternative crops, consumer trends in the Island’s UK export market and sustainable farming practices, all delivered by UK experts.
Local speakers included Jim Hopley from the Coastal National Park working party, Eamon Fenlon of Jersey Dairy and farming consultant John Vautier.
The Editor of the Jersey Evening Post, Andy Sibcy, gave a presentation about the newspaper’s Keep Jersey Farming campaign.
The Chairman of Jersey Dairy, Andrew Le Gallais, said it was good for the industry to hear what the speakers had to say.
‘We have been very fortunate to have people who are at the top of their game to come to the Island. It was a very good turn out and the conference was excellent,’ he said.
ENVIRONMENT Minister Steve Luce is ready to ‘challenge’ Island planning policy in order to strengthen protection for countryside areas and ensure that houses, sheds, barns and shops are not left empty.
Speaking yesterday at the Jersey Farming Conference, the St Martin Deputy pledged stronger safeguards to limit building in green zone areas and a sensible approach to using agricultural land for the rural economy.
The conference was organised by the Economic Development and Environment departments and featured visiting experts and politicians speaking to the farming community.
Deputy Luce told farmers that green zone land was ‘more precious than it’s ever been’ and that the Planning Department was also working to tackle derelict greenhouse sites.
Discussing the Island Plan, which governs building in Jersey, Deputy Luce said: ‘I want to strengthen even further the application of planning policy that says “there will be a presumption against building and development in the green zone”.
‘Recently we’ve done better. More planning applications are being challenged and our countryside is being protected in the green zone, but we mustn’t let up.
‘At the same time, as an industry, we must try not to leave land fallow. Let’s not waste our own resources, let’s do our best to farm every vergée. I have asked my officers to continue prioritising work to ensure we are maximising the amount of agricultural land which can be used commercially.’
Later after outlining the Island’s need to ensure that agricultural sites and buildings did not remain empty or unused he added: ‘I’m under no illusions that my proposals will, in some cases, challenge the Island Plan. Quite often seemingly sensible solutions are the most difficult to achieve, and it will be really difficult to keep consistency across different sites – but we must try.’
Speaking to the JEP after delivering his speech Deputy Luce said: ‘I’d like to see the green zone policy reinforced. I’m going to get our planners together, when I get the chance, and say: “these are the things that are important and I’d like you to consider them when making decisions”.’
He went on to say that he was not calling for a complete block on countryside development, adding that some disused sites could take new homes.
‘I take a simplistic view,’ Deputy Luce said.
