An effective Rural Economy Strategy (RES) for Jersey must deliver a number of things. Firstly, the RES needs to enhance the economic, environmental and social value of the land in which the majority of rural economic activity is undertaken. It must also take into account the needs and requirements of those who use, live and work in the countryside: rural policy must continue to take full account of society’s expectations.

Profitability is essential to all businesses. However, the RES must move away from simply gauging its success in terms of costs, output and income. Success needs to be based on increasing productivity in its broadest sense, with measures of environmental and social performance as well as financial indicators. As such, sustainable development in the countryside requires rural businesses and government to consider a ‘triple bottom line’ – profit, people and environment.

Some believe that there is a conflict between rural economic growth and the environment. It is true that there is no such thing as ‘no impact’ economic activity and in order to secure ongoing public support, the rural sector needs to ensure that the business continues to be serious about protecting our common environment.

Rural businesses are increasingly and rightly market focused. It is important for rural businesses to remain flexible, so that they can respond to financial pressures and the unpredictability of such markets, taking greater responsibility for their own destinies through ensuring high standards in risk management, business administration and identifying and filling skills gaps.

This approach is central to the principle of shared responsibility in the rural economy and requires the States of Jersey and rural businesses to work together, on the understanding that government cannot provide for every eventuality.  To achieve this we must identify the specific needs and target limited public resources to areas where the rural sector can deliver the highest overall productivity and benefit to Jersey in the long-term.

 

 

Connétable Len Norman

Assistant Minister for Economic Development

 

Deputy Rob Duhamel

Assistant Minister for Planning & Environment

March 2010