A HILL farmer has warned that his profession could become a thing of the past if nothing is done to stem the flow of youngsters leaving agriculture.

The National Farmers' Union has revealed that young people are turning their backs on hill farming in droves.

Half of the hill farmers questioned in a survey said their children would not be taking over when they retired because of extremely low annual incomes and long working hours. The NFU is to hold an emergency conference on the matter in London on September 10 and Crawshawbooth farmer Peter Bennett has vowed to attend.

His two sons have chosen to leave his Cribden Lane farm and the 50-year-old is now faced with selling up when he retires.

The conference, called Young Farmers in the Hills, will "expore the problems facing young farmers and discuss solutions."

Farmers' bosses have warned that the loss of the next generation of hill farmers could have a significant impact on the countryside.

Peter said his 90-acre beef and sheep farm in Rossendale was no longer financially viable without the income of his wife, Sally, a consultant microbiologist at a Manchester hospital.

"My 24 and 25-year-old sons are not interested in taking on the farm. They see too much hard work for too little reward. They see their mates going out at night and their parents working until dark.

"Youngsters are leaving the industry in their droves and who can blame them? About 70 per cent of farmers in the Rossendale Valley are now 50 or over. That just about says it all," he said.

Farmers' bosses want Government assistance for an industry blighted by the BSE crisis and the strong pound to make agriculture more attractive to youngsters.

Peter Bennett receives £1,800 a year from the Government's Countryside Stewardship Scheme, but said it was hardly an incentive to get up at the crack of dawn.

"We receive the payments for the maintenance of pastures to encourage the return of wildlife, but the money soon gets swallowed up. The return to us is probably zero when you consider the extra work and cost of materials.

"Most of the farmers I know now have part-time jobs. As an industry we are taking a battering. If people want a vibrant landscape, young farmers must be allowed to make a living."

The Young Farmers in the Hills conference will take place at the Berkeley Centre in London. Further details from the NFU North-West office on 01695 554900.

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