FARMERS who are being forced to quit agriculture because of the effects of the deepest recession in the industry for more than half a century should be offered specialist training in new job-seeking skills.

The call comes from members of the Country Landowners Association which says that many of the farmers now being forced to enter the job market are not lacking in ability — but few have any experience of filling in job applications, writing CVs or of interview techniques.

A training initiative aimed at improving the skills' base in rural areas was recently outlined in the England Rural Development Plan — the CLA has welcomed the initiative but says the remit should be broadened to include help for farmers who want to acquire essential job-finding skills.

A CLA spokesman said: 'Farmers are used to standing on their own two feet, but many went straight on the family farm from school or agricultural college and they have never had to make a job application, write a CV or even attend an interview — and they are now being forced to look for new jobs.

'Workers in industries like mining and steel-making lost their jobs through no faults of their own and were offered a variety of retraining and job-seeking packages. Now it is happening to farmers and we feel they should be offered similar consideration,' he said.

'What they need is practical help and direction in order to place them in the jobs' market place suitably equipped to sell the wide range of skills they undoubtedly possess.