Fight for your livelihoods, Charles tells farming women (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fight for your livelihoods, Charles tells farming women

PRINCE Charles has urged women in farming to continue their battle to save the family farm.

He was speaking to delegates at a conference of the Women's Food and farming Union at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester on Monday night.

He said farming is an entire way of life and entire culture which must not be lost. "People like you with enterprise and determination are fighting to save it," he said. "I wish you every success in your unstoppable battle."

And he urged them to collaborate and form farming co-operatives, saying it works in France and Denmark. He warned small farms could be picked off by the giant organisations unless they join forces.

He praised the union members who promote British produce saying: "You are remarkable how you organise your lives. You set an incredible example and I want to use this opportunity to salute you."

The Prince, a farmer himself and president of Business in the Community, launched the Rural Action Campaign last autumn to challenge business to support local produce.

The two-day conference's aim was to tackle the issue of local sourcing and how to develop local and regional enterprise.

The union's president, Janet Godfrey, said: "The Prince recognises the important role women play in farming and food production, not to mention the diversification of farming enterprises.

"His support has been inspirational to many of our members and has helped them grow in confidence and realise their own potential."

Gloucestershire members belong to the West Midlands Branch. Among them was Liz Hodges of Chipping Campden who said: "We are trying to get new members in the county to join our branch. We have many wonderful outlets in Gloucestershire to sell local produce which is excellent quality."