Last updated 19:40, Thursday, 17 April 2008

FARMING has been airbrushed out of an economic plan for Cumbria, a leading countryside champion has claimed.

Ann Risman, of the Pentalk network, says a blueprint for the future of the county’s economy, by regeneration agency Cumbria Vision, makes no mention of agriculture.

The report highlights six sectors where growth will be encouraged to turn the county from one of the worst performing economies in Europe into one of the best.

They are: nuclear, energy and environmental technologies; specialist manufacturing; tourism; food and drink; digital, cultural and creative; and outdoor sport and recreation.

The plan was presented to business people and politicians at Cumbria’s first economic summit last week.

“The only person who mentioned farming in the whole day was Sally Gunnell, who grew up on a farm,” said Mrs Risman.

“There is not one mention of agri-business, which is Cumbria’s biggest employer, in the whole report.

“It’s a pity they have produced such a lopsided strategy that does not address issues like rural depletion and the effect of the credit crunch on farmers.”

“It mentions tourism, but that is dependent on management of the countryside by farmers. Who would want to come to the Lake District if it was just a mass of wilderness?

“Farmers all across Cumbria are suffering at the moment and they need help – it’s a shame this report does not offer them anything.

“I don’t want to talk down businesses that are doing well in these other sectors, but there should be a balance.”