I am Deputy of St Brelade No 1, elected following careers in the private and public sectors including former chief officer of Planning.
I am chairman of the Environment Scrutiny panel and have completed many public hearings and reviews on such matters as energy policy
As a backbench member, I have gained States agreement to my propositions
- changes to the island plan,
- amendments to planning law
- reduced stamp duty for first time buyers
- and many others.
The agricultural industry is custodian of 54 % of our land area. Without your stewardship of the countryside our rich biodiversity, our varied landscape and hedgerows, our heritage of agricultural buildings and culture would not be conserved for the future. Our ground water would be at risk from pollution and pests and diseases would be prevalent.
All this is achieved whilst producing food to sustain us locally value £20 M and generating earnings of £57M.
1.5 % of our GVA from Agriculture understates the industry’s real value. Our tourists highly value our countryside but we often take it for granted. The States need to give proper recognition and support.
Our Industry is competing with other EU countries with agricultural subsidy regimes, yet since the Agriculture department disappeared in 2004, despite the fine words of ministers , support to the industry has been reduced each year from £5.4 Million ten years ago to £1.7 Million in 2014. Commercial fishing and aquaculture receive no direct support
We must encourage new enterprises and innovation e.g new working practices discussed at last years farming conference which i was privileged to attend and consider investment in infrastructure such as solar power equipment or by producing biogas from agricultural waste which experts say has the potential to save the island £3M annually
Little is now invested by government in industry research and development. Reports of withdrawal of funding from organic growers are concerning when we need greater self sufficiency in food.
We have island plan policies to safeguard agricultural land, encourage diversification of agriculture, and for enabling development. But are these policies applied in practice? At last years farming conference speakers spoke of the frustration of hurdles in the planning system. Improvements are urgently needed
As a government we cannot continue to spend more than we receive. We need our ministers to progress public sector reform and review spending priorities, to release savings whilst protecting front line services, which for me includes support for the agricultural sector and the environment.
We need our new ministers to deliver joined up government and build consensus on its policies
Above all we need to restore public confidence in our government.
In this election, you have a choice of for more of the same from the existing ministers or voting for change
I have the experience capability and to deliver this change which a great many people have told me they want to see.
I humbly ask for your vote as Senator.
Thank you very much
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