A new recruit at national chartered surveying firm, Bruton Knowles, has called for further support for the Farming sector from the two major political parties in the upcoming General Election.
Senior Associate Charlotte Ibbs joined the company earlier this year, and has added her extensive farming expertise to the repertoire of the Rural Services Team, led by John Amos, since joining.
Charlotte said: "It has been a really exciting change for me since I joined Bruton Knowles. The team is excellent here, with lots of expertise throughout and I'm looking forward to working closely with them all.
As a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Registered Valuer, Charlotte has a wealth of experience specialising in Farm and Estate Valuations for secured lending and tax purposes.
With her level of experience, she is fully aware of the issues facing the farming community at the moment: "We have seen several farmers coming to the Rural Team and asking for help, as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) that was supporting many of them has now ended - and they are looking for ways in which to subsidise that lack of income.
"As a result, they are looking for support from the likes of ourselves, as we have years of experience in helping those within the farming community to expand their offering.
“We can assist in completing complex forms and applications and beginning processes to help source new revenue streams for them.”
With news of the upcoming General Election coming on 4th July, Charlotte hopes to see the two main political parties, and whoever forms the next government, consider the issues farmers across the UK are experiencing at the moment.
“Rural businesses are facing a number of issues across the country. Poor water quality in our rivers has garnered significant public attention. In Herefordshire, for example, the River Wye Action Plan has been launched to enhance water quality and reduce nutrient pollution. Bruton Knowles is committed to helping farmers in Herefordshire take full advantage of the funding available through this plan. The funding supports the implementation of various measures such as buffer strips, woodland planting, poultry manure combustors and improved slurry storage.”
As Charlotte continues, "Our goal is to ensure farmers have the necessary resources and knowledge to reduce nutrient runoff effectively. By implementing these sustainable practices, we can collectively contribute to a healthier River Wye, benefitting both the environment and the agricultural community, simultaneously."
There are several other pressures on those within the sector. When it comes to food quality, Charlotte says that the UK has some of the highest standards in the world.
"We’ve seen lots of farmers recovering from a very wet Winter, which has impacted soil health and crops. Cheap imports coming from countries with lower environmental and animal welfare standards than here means that farmers are competing on an unlevel playing field, and these two factors combined mean that farmers are fighting against a strong current.”
With the ever-increasing focus on renewable energy, farmers have substantial opportunities to diversify their operations and reduce energy costs. The adoption of technologies such as battery storage provides financial benefits.
"Renewable energy solutions present a win-win scenario for farmers," Charlotte adds. "By investing in these technologies, farmers can lower their energy expenses and create additional revenue streams. The team at Bruton Knowles is ready to guide farmers through the best renewable energy options for their operations."
John Amos, Head of Rural Services at Bruton Knowles, added: “The whole Rural Team has benefitted greatly since Charlotte arrived. We have years of experience of supporting farmers, and as we wait and see what a new government will bring for those landowners out there, one thing shall remain certain: that we at Bruton Knowles will have their back.”