The JEP has invited the 21 Senatorial candidates to answer a series of questions covering a wide range of key topics in the election.

Question: What steps would you propose to safeguard the future of Jersey’s rural environment and countryside economy?

Mike Higgins
Land use and agriculture have changed over time and will continue to do so in the future. We have to help farmers and growers find new markets and assist them during the periods of transition. However, no matter what crops or animal husbandry takes place in the Island, it is vitally important to safeguard the countryside not only for our own health and well-being but also for future generations. It is also important for tourism. Again, there are no easy answers to this issue. The matter needs to be researched and discussed with all the parties concerned.

Mick Pashley
We have strict guidelines on the banding of our rural environment. However, recent events with zones being regrouped have allowed for some areas which should remain as rural to become available for development. I would strive to ensure that areas deemed rural are to remain rural and not altered to suit the needs of developers.

Senator Mike Vibert
Getting the new Island Plan right is vital for the future of the rural environment, as it will safeguard green areas from development. I believe diversification and the ability to react in a timely way to changing circumstances are the key to safeguarding the future of the rural economy. We need a mix of larger farms and smallholdings. Larger arable farms concentrating on the potato export market and dairy farms ensure the Island is self-sufficient in milk, with smaller holdings providing organic meat and vegetables sold through farm shops and farmers’ markets.

Nick Le Cornu
There is an inherent conflict in trying to maintain a ‘rural countryside’ which can compete economically with the finance industry. Jersey Royal and toms cannot produce comparable profits and farmland will always be nibbled away to provide for an ever-increasing population. Imported farm products competing with our own are only cheaper because their producers can subsidise their transport and production costs internally long enough to wipe out local market players. Much of the destruction of the Island’s rural environment and countryside economy has come from short-term, high-profit, commercial practices driven by outside companies together with their Island representatives.

Mark Forskitt
Restrict housing development to existing developed areas. Promote an organic market garden model of growing for the local market. Ensure adequate training and provision in horticulture and agriculture to generate new blood to enter the industry.

Montfort Tadier
I think that if Jersey’s countryside heritage (for locals and tourists alike) is to prosper, it is imperative that we do not build on greenfield sites. However, in order for this to be achievable, population and, by extension, economic growth must be curtailed, as it is not fair for the urban parishes to endure much greater development either. Farm shops, the growing of organic food and small-time local producers should also be encouraged. The ‘honesty box’ vegetable sellers form an integral part of the Jersey identity, and I would be sad to see that go.

Nick Palmer
The big four threats of climate change, peak oil, global financial instability and overpopulation shout out for greater local food security. Our export tomato market has collapsed because of the dominance of the UK supermarkets, and we hope that the Jersey Royal can survive. The rural environment and economy can be protected by encouraging a transition to horticulture and market gardening for the local food market, preferably organic. If food export survives, then it will probably be for specialist high-value ‘foody’ crops and it would be best if we worked to become an all-organic Island for marketing purposes.

Senator Paul Routier
I would support protecting the rural environment by ensuring that only very necessary building was allowed and that the farming community be allowed to diversify into complementary rural pursuits which would allow them to maintain the natural aspects of the countryside. In the face of continued off-Island subsidised competition, I would encourage the farming community to grow crops for the local market and retailers to buy from local farmers.

Adrian Walsh.
Encourage green holidays.

Deputy Alan Breckon
Circumstances and outside influences are factors in this, such as oil prices and grants from the EU. However, growing for the local market and continued promotion and development of Genuine Jersey are as important as ever. The dairy industry is finding a level for the local market, but the development of the new dairy at Trinity could assist a new export market for premium products. The Jersey Royal market seems positive, and the development of alternative crops for the local market would assist ‘carbon footprint’ issues.

Deputy Alan Maclean
I would not support any further greenfield developments in the countryside. A vibrant and successful agricultural industry is central to the success of the countryside economy. Farmers are the custodians of our countryside, and the rural initiative scheme and countryside renewal scheme are vitally important in creating the framework and incentives to ensure that our rural environment is protected for future generations. It is successful rural enterprise that is the key to preserving the rural environment. I would therefore look to extend the scope of both of these excellent schemes.

Cliff Le Clercq
Create the right financial conditions for growers to thrive in, and stop unnecessary development in our countryside and green zones. Weak or bad politics are guilty and again principles have been abandoned in favour of personalities. We should foster sensitive husbandry and look after what we inherited. On one hand we hear of world food shortages, yet fly over the Island and vast tracts of good growing land sits idle. Good organic food will always be needed and sell, so let’s just do it. A working countryside preserves itself.

Deputy Geoff Southern
I believe that sustainable population levels are crucial to the protection of our environment. I call for an alliance between town and country to unite behind sensible limits to growth. The ‘rural alliance’ should not be persuaded that green fields can be saved by piling high-density, high-rise building in the urban areas. The economy is still a three-legged stool consisting of finance, tourism and agriculture. All are interdependent and must be maintained. Currently, support is being withdrawn from the dairy industry while an additional £750,000 is going to Finance. We have to rebalance the economic budget to truly support diversity and not just pay it lip service.

Ian Le Marquand
The key issue, as with many other areas, is the control of the Island’s population. If this is not controlled, the continuing demand for family homes will create enormous pressure for further building in the countryside. I am concerned that the Jersey milk herds will be at serious risk if cows are cross-bred for milk production. People need to be encouraged to buy locally grown food in season. The new ideas for the countryside economy must come from those involved there, and the role of government should be to encourage positive developments.

Jeremy Maçon
Oppose development on green zones. Make low-interest loans available to start up new enterprises in the countryside – Mr Quénault’s home dairy business is an excellent example of innovative thinking. The vodka factory was another brilliant idea and would have been an excellent development for La Collette. We should not just turn down enterprising ideas, but rather encourage them and lend assistance in developing them and make them fit into the Island’s structure. Encourage young people back into agriculture through funding agricultural college education – means-tested. Reduce freight and harbour costs.

Daniel Wimberley
Build houses on the waterfront, not a new business district. Control population. Diversification is fine, but remember that as the global conventional economy contracts, food security will become more and more important for Islanders. Quite literally, where is my next dinner coming from? So all development must be reversible. A note on population: stop the dash for ‘growth at all costs’. Whenever a politician talks of economic success, it should go ‘ping’ in your brain – they still haven’t got it. Demand quality of life, measure quality of life, aim at quality of life. That is the way to preserve Jersey for future generations.

Deputy Peter Troy
We have a very good agri-environment scheme which could be improved upon to allocate additional funds to farmers and landowners who make environmental improvements to land in their care. Also, provide adequate support and advice to those who want to start new agricultural ventures, particularly the growing of organic produce, which is gaining in popularity with the public. Consider reducing harbour charges on shipping agricultural produce into and out of the island.

Senator Philip Ozouf
Coming from a farming family, I feel passionately about the countryside and I do not support the development of greenfield sites. We depend on farmers to keep our rural landscape of small fields, hedges and Jersey cows. We must support bona fide farmers with a combination of extending the rural initiative scheme, the countryside renewal scheme and other targeted aid.

Deputy Sarah Ferguson
Use brownfield sites – but for quality housing, not matchboxes. The latest fashion among millionaires is to buy land for conservation projects, not development – maybe some of our locals might like to consider this. It is a delicate balancing act between keeping the countryside, housing our people and encouraging agriculture. My favourite project is Warren Farm, which is now safely back in agriculture. The migrating birds are visiting, the fields are full of livestock and the farm looks to be lived in again.

Trevor Pitman
The key is ensuring sustainable population levels. I fully support Deputy Southern’s call for an alliance between town and country lobbying for sensible limits to growth. As I indicated within a previous answer, we also need to place a greater emphasis on education. We all need to realise that within a small geographic community like Jersey’s, the myth that our green fields can be saved by piling high-density, high-rise building in our urban areas is just that. Jersey’s economic trio of finance, tourism and agriculture industries are also interdependent. Given increasing global financial uncertainties, we must truly support diversification wherever we can.