« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
trends in agricultural development
5. Since 1945 there have been major changes in the agricultural industry. Over much of this time, until the mid 1980s, Government policy sought to encourage increased production and promoted through grant aid the construction of new farm buildings. Greater mechanisation, the introduction of different systems of production and the need to achieve greater output with less labour led to the development of much larger farm units. Larger buildings were required for the efficient housing of livestock, and storage of fodder, produce and general equipment.
6. Recently, because of food surpluses and increasing concern about conservation of the rural landscape, the Government has encouraged farmers to limit output by, for example, taking land out of agricultural production and undertaking farm diversification schemes. Despite the changes in Government policy and the withdrawal of some grant aid, there is a continuing trend towards larger buildings with wider roof spans, even if fewer are being built. These buildings are industrial in appearance and scale and can have a significant impact on the rural landscape and the visual quality of existing farmsteads.
« Previous | Contents | Next »