{"id":1749,"date":"2024-02-05T13:57:24","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T13:57:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fenlandsoil.org\/?p=1749"},"modified":"2024-04-02T14:07:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T14:07:40","slug":"fenland-soil-farmers-dialogue-event-at-the-norfolk-broads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fenlandsoil.org\/news\/fenland-soil-farmers-dialogue-event-at-the-norfolk-broads\/","title":{"rendered":"Fenland SOIL Farmer’s Dialogue Event at the Norfolk Broads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the 16th of January Fenland SOIL coordinated a Farmers Dialogue Event, hosted by the Norfolk Broads Authority. We met at West Somerton Mill which provided panoramic views of a 60-acre reed and sedge bed. Richard Starling, one of the reed cutters from the area, explained the pressures on the reed industry today. Approximately 97.5% of reed for thatching is currently imported, generally at a lower cost and quality, which makes it difficult for Norfolk reed cutters to compete in the market. They are also faced with the challenges of conflicting policy and socioeconomic pressures such as housing costs in the local area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n