A PROPOSAL to ensure the Island’s farmers and fishermen continue to benefit from the current levels of financial support available to them “in perpetuity” has been brought forward by the Economic Development Minister.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said he wanted to help provide “certainty” to Jersey’s rural and marine industries.
His proposition seeks to ensure that previously approved financial support for the sectors – which last year totalled £7.3 million, as well as living wage transition funding of £1.1 million via the Better Business Support Package – continues annually and is adjusted in line with inflation.
This includes assistance available as part of the Agricultural Loans Scheme, which was re-established following a proposition from Deputy Steve Luce in 2023.
At the time, Deputy Luce warned that “two of Jersey’s oldest and most traditional industries are under threat as never before”.
Speaking to the JEP, Deputy Morel said: “It’s about trying to continue the whole package.
“The Agricultural Loans Scheme has already proved itself really vital in providing the capital that farmers and the marine industry need to invest in their businesses, and that’s helping with succession.”
He stressed that maintaining fishing and farming “goes beyond heritage”, citing food supply resilience and the future of Jersey’s countryside as some of the relevant factors.
“And there are huge economic benefits,” he added.
“There’s a whole conversation around farming and the value of locally-produced food to the Island, which has taken off enormously in the last few years.”
If approved, the financial support will continue “in perpetuity” until the proposition is rescinded by the States Assembly.
“Any future government or States Assembly can change it, but it needs to be a public debate,” Deputy Morel explained.
“The proposition is to make sure that – if there is a desire to reduce that – that it is debated publicly, not done through a kind of budget mechanism quietly at some point in the future.”
