Gloucestershire’s farmers are set to receive crucial support from Shire Hall as local authorities acknowledge the mounting pressures they face. In a unanimous decision last week, county councillors committed to bolstering rural businesses and the broader agricultural sector throughout Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet will now conduct a comprehensive audit of the council’s procurement practices to ensure that local produce is prioritized wherever it is financially feasible. Furthermore, a thorough review of all council-run catering facilities—including those in care homes and schools—will be undertaken, with a focus on sourcing county-grown products.
The council also requested a detailed report evaluating the current effectiveness of the “Made in Gloucestershire” initiative, accompanied by a strategic plan to address any identified gaps.
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Recognizing the mental health challenges emerging from this situation, the council plans to develop a public health strategy aimed specifically at rural communities. This will include a campaign to promote the benefits of consuming fresh, locally-produced foods.
Conservative Councillor Daryl Corps, representing Moreton, Stow, and the Rissingtons, highlighted the serious and escalating difficulties facing Gloucestershire’s farmers. “Those who put food on our tables and care for our countryside are enduring a perfect storm,” he said. “Rising costs, unpredictable markets, adverse weather, and labor shortages are tightening already fragile profit margins. For many multi-generational family farms, this is an urgent threat to their financial viability.”
Councillor Corps emphasized that many farmers work tirelessly for modest earnings, striving to sustain their livelihoods amidst these challenges.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, representing Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach, expressed strong support for the motion, acknowledging the resilience of farmers in the North Cotswolds.
Green Party Councillor Chloe Turner, leader of Stroud District Council and representative for Minchampton, concurred, critiquing the Government’s limited understanding of rural economies and the farming sector. She noted efforts within Stroud District to prioritize farming and regenerative agriculture as central elements of their economic development approach.
“We are a deeply rural community, and farming is not only a vital part of our heritage but also key to our economic future,” Turner said. “We actively allocate resources to initiatives that farmers identify as priorities.”
The council’s unanimous vote reflects a strong, cross-party commitment to supporting Gloucestershire’s farming community during this critical time.