Ending Jersey’s £7-million-a-year rural funding package in 2027 would be disastrous, the Economic Development Minister has warned, as he urged future States Members to keep the cash flowing for farming and fishing.
Deputy Kirsten Morel warned that the sectors “cannot cope without it”.
In 2023, States Members backed a proposal to amend the 2024-2027 Government Plan to increase revenue expenditure on agriculture and fisheries, after Deputy Steve Luce argued that the two long-standing industries were “under threat as never before”.
During a hearing of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel yesterday afternoon, the panel’s vice-chair, Deputy Karen Wilson, asked Deputy Morel if he foresaw any risks to the economy within the government’s proposed 2026-2029 Budget unveiled earlier this year.
The Minister responded: “The big risk I would say I have, and it’s about the States’ decision, is the rural and marine economy budget which we voted through.”
He continued: “The States kind of said it had to be £7 million and going up by RPI from now on, but one reading of that is seen as that coming to an end in 2027.
“It can’t come to an end in 2027 – that has to be ongoing funding into the future.”
Deputy Morel added: “Whoever is in the States following the elections, I really urge them to make sure that budget is protected, because Jersey’s agriculture and fisheries industries cannot cope without it.”
He noted that the funding “doesn’t need to grow”.
“The £7 million plus RPI going forward is absolutely sufficient, but it can’t come to an end.”