Are Rural Areas Undervalued?

A recent poll carried out by YouGov demonstrates that nearly a third of the UK population believe that the nation’s rural industry is worth less than it is (19 per cent of the overall UK economy), despite 5.5 million people being employed within the rural economy and domestic food and drink being worth £22 billion to the British economy.

The nation’s food self-sufficiency is falling, with only 58.9 per cent of the food eaten in the UK sourced within Britain. As growing numbers of dairy farmers have been abandoning the industry in recent years, 60,000 workers are needed to join the industry within the next decade to keep it running at a similar level.

Helen Aldis, The Prince’s Countryside Fund manager said, “Rural Affairs are often put to one side until there’s a crisis, like dramatic floods earlier this spring. But once the waters recede, and the crisis is no longer visible, we neglect to examine issues the countryside faces and these issues not only affect those who live in the countryside, they have an impact on everyone who lives in Britain.”

“Putting rural affairs on the agenda is key to keeping the countryside in business. Self-sufficiency is just one issue the rural economy is facing, but our declining food production for a growing population underscores the fact that we’re not realising the full potential of our countryside and exploring the best use of our greatest natural asset.

“We are all rural consumers: we eat food from UK farms, we enjoy leisure time in the countryside, we value its biodiversity, landscape and tranquillity.  The issues The Prince’s Countryside Fund tackles, low farming incomes, decline in rural communities, access for training for young people, and rural isolation—these all have an impact on everyone who lives in the UK.”