Prince launches fund for family farmers

Prince Charles has launched an initiative to help Britain’s hard-pressed family farmers.



The Prince’s Countryside Fund is expected to raise at least £1m from big business in its first year.


“The important thing is to ensure rural skills are maintained and that young people have a chance to take part in rural businesses,” he said.


In return for donations, companies such as Waitrose, McDonald’s and McVities will be allowed to display the charity’s logo on their products.


“A whole number of companies have come together and have made a contribution to the fund,” said Waitrose managing director Mark Price, who is managing the scheme.


In Waitrose and Asda, the logo will appear on milk. In Marks & Spencer, it will appear on lamb. It will also appear on Jordans cereals and Country Life butter.


“Many more companies are going to use it on the products they sell,” said Mr Price.


Money raised would be used to fund good causes in the countryside.


Organic farming was the most sustainable form of agriculture, the Prince of Wales told the BBC’s Countryfile programme on Sunday (4 July).


But he added: “Obviously you have to be realistic and accept there are lots of people farming genuinely and I want to be able to help as many as possible.”


As well as funding training schemes, the charity will hold a reserve fund to be used in rural emergencies such as foot and mouth.


It will also promote school farms and gardens – and educate children about where food comes from.


The average annual farm income is £18,000, according to the latest government figures. But hill farmers can earn as little as £6000 a year.



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