The government the United Kingdom wants to change its farming industry. It wants younger people to enter the profession. It has a new plan to pay older farmers to retire. Some older farmers could get up $140,000 in cash if they retire. One the reasons the government wants older farmers to retire is to protect the environment. Older farmers use more traditional methods to farm their land. These methods are not as environmentally friendly as they should be. The UK's farming minister believes younger farmers are more open "green" methods. He said: "A fresh perspective can make a world difference." He added that older farmers were "standing the way change".
The average age farmers in the UK is 59. Around 40 per cent them are the age of 65. The farming minister said: "We need to address the twin challenges helping new [farmers] fulfill their dream gaining access land, while also helping an older generation to retire dignity." The scheme is popular with many veteran farmers. A farmers' association said 75 per cent its farmers were interested the retirement plan. The UK's National Farmers' Union welcomed the government's plan. It said: "We want to see a fair transition which allows farmers who are considering leaving the industry to have sufficient time and information to make those life-changing decisions."
