WEST Devon hill farmers faced with plummeting incomes under a new support scheme have welcomed an announcement which should safeguard their livelihoods — for the moment at least.
Agriculture minister Nick Brown has confirmed measures which mean hill farmers disadvantaged under a new system of support payments will have their incomes made up to 90 per cent of present levels, dropping to 80 per cent in 2002.
The announcement follows a crisis meeting in Okehampton last month when hundreds of farmers were told the 'safety net' was to be reduced to 75 per cent — effectively slashing hill farmers incomes in half in some cases.
Now the Ministry has returned to its original support package, with Mr Brown stating he is 'convinced' the change to paying farmers on an acreage basis rather than headage is the only way to secure a viable future for hill farming.
He said: 'Such a change will reduce the incentive for overgrazing and bring hill farming closer to the market.
'The change also protects hill farm support payments in the next round of world trade negotiations.'
He said the 'safety net' would protect farmers for the next two years until the scheme is reviewed in 2003.
'Before then, we will be exploring better ways of classifying hill land to develop a more sophisticated area payment structures.
'We will also be reviewing our agri-environment schemes to ensure they best protect our valuable and diverse upland landscapes,' said Mr Brown.
He said under the new arrangements hill farmers will have access to an increased budget of £1.6 billion over the next seven years.
The minister also promised to look at quota systems to ensure hill farmers able to develop their businesses can do so without impediment.
John Dawe, chairman of the Dartmoor Hill Livestock Forum, was 'very pleased' at the announcement.
He said: 'It's a step in the right direction, somebody is actually listening to us.
'It's much needed. It shows the justice of our case.'
Mr Dawe thanked all the drivers who tooted their car horns in encouragement during the recent farmers demonstration at Pork Hill near Tavistock.
'We've been very well supported — we'd also like to thank the MPs for their help and involvement. We've been trying to do this in a gentlemanly manner and it appears to be working.'
An open letter in support of the hill farmers plight was sent to the Agriculture Minister by Westcountry MPs who attended the meeting in Okehampton.
West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said: 'I am very pleased our all-party campaign, co-ordinated with the NFU, was successful in that the minister has agreed not to depart from his original statement on the transitional arrangements.'
Mr Burnett said he would continue to fight for compensation for farmers who had lost grazing rights under the recent changes.