Waiting for the Brit invasion
Waiting for the Brit invasion
A RUSH of British farmers looking for new farms and a fresh start in agriculture is expected to hit France in the next few months.
But Clive Edwardes, who keeps pigs and sheep at Cromieres, near Cussac in the Limousin region, fears they may not be coming for the right reasons.
"Too many farmers who come here from Britain end up going back home again, some in a worse financial and emotional state than when they arrived," he says.
And Mr Edwardes has seen plenty come and go, as he is one of the organisers of a course for foreign farmers looking to install on French farms, run by the ministry of agriculture in Limoges.
The annual course offers a full two-week introduction to French agriculture, giving details of the legal, administrative and financial processes involved for those wishing to install.
"Given the current state of British farming, there are bound to be many more looking across the Channel," predicts Mr Edwardes. "First, they must really get into the detail of land ownership and transfer, what grants are available, what are the accounting procedures and how tax operates.
"Almost invariably, that will mean using an agent. Farmers who try to do it alone are the ones who get into the deepest trouble. But you really need to sound out the agent to check he can do the job.
"Then you need to find a farm. The agent will have some on his books. But you can also go to the local SAFER, or try local estate agents, newspapers and notaires (who process property sales).
"Of course, you need to check up on quota rights and IACS eligibility. And you need to decide whether or not you are going to form a company, and what fiscal regime you are going to use."
Most British farmers coming to France end up on livestock farms. Dairy farms are much sought after by the local French, while arable land seldom comes to market.
Mr Edwardes reckons farmers need at least £50,000 behind them, and probably nearer £100,000 to start farming in France, regardless of whether they qualify for young farmers assistance. Margins are likely to be tight – perhaps 80,000 francs a year on a 75ha holding.
The key to success, however, is attitude. "You must remember you are farming a piece of France, not a piece of England, Wales or Scotland in France," he says.
• The next course for foreign farmers to be held at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle et de Promotion Agricoles in Limoges will be from Oct 8-19, 2001. Cost is 4000 francs. Contact cfppa.limo ges@educagri.fr or Clive Edwardes on 00 33 555 70 91 39. *