The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has announced an overhaul of the Combined Authority’s farming support programme, transforming Grow Yorkshire into an expert advisory panel.
The changes were approved at a Combined Authority meeting last week, following the publication of a report commissioned by the Mayor which found that more than half of the region’s 7,000 commercial farms are not making sustainable levels of profit.
The report highlighted the challenges farmers are facing, including market volatility, the impacts of climate change and ongoing policy changes.
Since it was established in 2019, Grow Yorkshire has funded more than 100 audits and tests on farms, as well as developing special interest groups and training programmes. However, the Mayor’s report identified an urgent need for further intervention to support the long-term viability of the sector.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “Our farmers are the backbone of York and North Yorkshire, but with more than half of farms currently making unsustainable profits, we cannot afford to stand still.
“Grow Yorkshire has already been so important at speaking up for farmers. Today we’ve strengthened their role, giving a stronger voice to those who know farming and rural communities best.
“Rural communities can’t just survive, they have to thrive and be at the centre of telling us how to achieve this.”
Under the new format, Grow Yorkshire will focus on implementing national recommendations to help more farms achieve sustainable profits, supporting new farming methods that reduce environmental impact, and removing barriers to training and wellbeing support for farmers.
The initiative works with a range of regional and national partners representing the farming sector, including the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).
Harriet Ranson, director for the North at the CLA, welcomed the changes. She said: “The CLA has been an active participant since Grow Yorkshire was first established, and we welcome Mayor David Skaith’s recognition of its importance and the expansion of its role into an expert advisory panel to support his ambitions for the rural sector.
“The CLA is always ready to represent our farmers and rural businesses within local government to ensure policies are fit for purpose, stimulate farm profitability and support wider rural economic growth. We thank David for his continued support and recognition of the importance of the rural economy to York and North Yorkshire’s prosperity.”
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