Farming
Charles Walker raises his concerns that many young people set to inherit farms are selling them off rather than go into farming.
Mr. Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): Is not part of the problem with farming that many young people who are set to inherit farms realise that it is so difficult to make money out of farming that it is far better, although less desirable, to sell that farm on to a City stockbroker who simply wants an amenity farm-a sort of leisure centre?
Mr. Heath: The hon. Gentleman is right. That happens. Farmhouses-detached substantial buildings in the countryside with nice views-are sold off as houses without land. There is an increase in horsey-culture. There is nothing wrong with horses, but the more prime agricultural land that is sold as pony paddock, the less there is available for farming. It worries me that if agribusiness takes over all the land, it will be run entirely on a balance sheet rather than with any consideration for the land and the communities on that land. If the profitability is down, the agribusinesses will leave and reinvest elsewhere. That is a worrying possibility.