Farmers: our industry needs young blood to survive

YOUNG blood is needed to revitalise the island's farming industry and give it a bright future, according to farmers.

As the Royal Guernsey Agricultural and Horticultural Society cattle show got under way yesterday, farmers voiced concerns about the future of the industry and called for more States help to get younger people into farming.

Kevin Gaudion, 33, is on the managing committee of the RGA and was so concerned over what the future holds for the industry he set up a Facebook page. Called Help Guernsey's Young Farmers, it highlights the plight of those who wish to get involved.

There was interest from young people in becoming a farmer, he said, but barriers prevented many from doing so.

One farmer, Ray Watts, 68, said he though farming did not have that a bleak future because he has seen a change in the age of people getting involved.