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Agriculture
Stiff global competition -
The agriculture industry has been virtually crippled by stiff global competition. The Common Agricultural Policy continues to favour EU producers and as the EU expands into Eastern Europe, their advantages will be enhanced by cheap labour. Nevertheless, the countryside that has been shaped by local farmers over the centuries must remain the bedrock of Jersey’s way of life and all Islanders should be able to enjoy the benefits of our rural heritage.
Different agricultural sectors -
The different agricultural sectors need solutions to their problems and the States has a role to play via the new Rural Strategy. In particular, we must ensure the future of our world famous Jersey cow. The importation of milk and the use, albeit one-off, of imported semen are two issues that require careful and fully informed consideration. There is also a clear need to replace the existing and ageing dairy as a matter of urgency, to provide an efficient, modern plant that will give the industry the competitive edge it needs to reduce milk prices to the consumer and pay the producers a viable income.
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