From the editor: Retirement remains the elephant in the room for agriculture

That is why this week’s statistics from a Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) survey makes such interesting reading regarding attitudes towards the proposed lump sum exit fee from Defra.

While this is a plan dreamt up in the corridors of Westminster and not yet subject to the litmus test of debate around a farm kitchen table, the fact a majority of TFA members in England expressed interest in the scheme suggests that retirement, and therefore succession, are being given serious thought.

The only slight note of caution would be the lack of interest for such a scheme in Wales.

For farming, however, the topic of retirement continues to be one which vexes the industry.

With many farmers having known nothing other than agriculture and often having no outside interests, the fact a civil servant thinks a lump sum and ensuing world cruise would suit them personally does not mean that will be mirrored on farms around the country.

And yet it is a subject Government, the industry and individual farmers really need to tackle with some urgency.