Outgoing president Andrew Granger called for the urgent introduction of an early retirement scheme for farmers.
“The whole of farming faces financial pressures on a scale we have not seen before, with no clear sign of any improvement for five to 10 years,” he told the CAAV conference.
Some of those for whom it is time to leave the industry are too poor to live where they are, he said. “These people could be well served by a one-off, early retirement scheme as allowed under Agenda 2000, offering them a route out with dignity.
“It should not be targeted at any sector but must, for its own credit, be subject to financial tests so that it offers genuine help to those with least assets.”
The CAAV is looking at schemes operated in other countries and other industries, aiming at individuals aged 55 to 65 who have been farming actively for at least 10 years.
- Paul Wilson of Paul Wilson & Co in Lancashire was elected president for the forthcoming year. Vice-presidents are John Hopkinson of Berry Bros & Hopkinson, Nottingham, and David Brown of Alder King at Chippenham Cattle Market in Wiltshire.
