Farmers expect 2006 to be good and bad

UK - Farmers are suggesting that 2006 will be a difficult year, yet also feel there could be some good things to come out of the next 12 months.

David Handley, chairman of Farmers For Action: "I think 2006 will be an even more difficult year than 2005. My biggest concern is the number of people who are going to leave the industry.

The UK is down to 70% self-sufficiency and that is a very dangerous state of affairs.

"Red tape, legislation and bureaucracy are not going to go away, and the Food Act and Water Directive will add a further burden.

"However, I also think there could be a lot of good things to come in 2006. I think that farmer power could come to the fore – farmers have had enough and they realise that if they want to make a change they're the ones who are going to have to drive it.

"We are getting improved support from consumers for UK produced food, and I would like farmers to be proud of what they do."

Source: FWi

3 January 2006