New Year’s Rural resolutions, evolutions and revolutions
2 minutes to read
As we start a new year, attention has returned once more to the Palace of Westminster for the answer to the question of how the UK/European divorce proceedings are settled, if at all. But there is also another story unfolding, related but with its own momentum.
It is the longer term future of UK agriculture, well overdue an overhaul, that deserves the serious engagement of all working in the rural economy.
The external influences on this subject are evident. Commodity prices, tariffs and trade rules, investment requirements and credit requirements. Added to that is the availability of labour, the competence of staff and new entrants, and professional advice that can add value well beyond its cost.
With the likelihood of tenancy reform after the Tenancy Reform Industry Group has had another look at the sector, that critical relationship between occupiers/farmers and landlords/investors will no doubt change with market pressures whatever Government does. Regional differences amongst the devolved nations means further nuances when it comes to support, environmental reward or punishment.
Climate change and ecological or environmental pressures and failings will provide both opportunity and constraint. And science and innovation will continue regardless, helping to propel those willing to embrace or utilise it.
Will there be a revolution that could transform UK rural land use, or an evolutionary process over a period of years? I sense the latter, but the pace of change will vary according to local and individual circumstances.
Michael Gove gave an optimistic take on the future of farming at the Oxford Farming Conference this month which I largely subscribe to, but even the Secretary of State at Defra cannot entirely predict the future. Much of that lies in our own hands.
As to new year’s resolutions, mine is to maintain dialogue with renewed effort and a sense of enquiry. With friends and family, with neighbours and strangers, clients and colleagues, with acknowledged experts and fellow professionals.
Business is social science and the greater the quest for knowledge and understanding, the more interesting the journey.
How can we help? Knight Frank's Rural Asset Management team is on hand to advise on a wide range of private and institutional clients on the hugely diverse assets that they own.