Farmers: Age

(asked on 27th October 2016) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the average age of farmers in England; and what assessment they have made of the impact of farmers' ages on the future of English farming.


This question was answered on 10th November 2016

The Government publication Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2015 shows that the median age of farm holders in the UK is 59.

Having a skilled workforce in place, attracting new talent and ensuring that there are opportunities to enter and progress through the farming sector is vital for the future of UK food and farming. The Government is aware of concerns about the aging profile of farming and recognises the challenges facing young new entrants to farming including the high cost of land and access to finance.

The Government is keen to work with industry to explore and promote a range of different farm business models where established farmers can open up opportunities to the next generation of young farmers to gain a foothold and experience in the sector such as agricultural tenancies, share-farming, contract farming, franchise farming and joint ventures.

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