09 March 2010
Islanders are being asked for their views on the strategic direction for the Island’s rural economy in a green paper jointly launched by the Economic Development (ED), and Planning and Environment (P&E) departments today.
ED and P&E want to know your views on an updated policy document; the Rural Economy Strategy (RES), which will eventually set the direction for the Island’s rural economy and countryside for the next five years and beyond.
The Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Connétable Len Norman commented ‘I am keen to stress that this Issues and Options document is not the final policy; it’s a starting point. We’re launching it as a Green Paper specifically to get Islanders with knowledge, views and ideas on our countryside to contribute to the debate and to influence the shape of the future policy on Jersey’s rural economy.’
We’ll review every response we receive,’ he added, ‘and produce a draft policy: the Rural Economy Strategy 2011-2015 as a White Paper which once again, will be open to the public for consultation at a later date.’
The Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment, Deputy Rob Duhamel stated ‘this is a joint initiative with Planning and Environment working in partnership with Economic Development. We wish to encourage the right balance between economic stimulation and the preservation of the environmental and cultural heritage in Jersey.’
The RES provides targeted support and assistance to people and businesses involved with the rural economy and Jersey’s countryside.
The Green Paper, or Issues and Options paper, addresses key issues relating to the rural economy and countryside and suggests policy options to deal with these considerations. Under the banner of profit, people and environment, the paper builds on the last Rural Economy Strategy, produced in 2005, and aims to provide the right balance of support to the industry and keepers of our Island environment.
The consultation is open to everyone. The RES review team will hold an introductory presentation during the consultation period to give the public the opportunity to discuss the proposals face to face. In addition, members of the ED and P&E departments will be holding open door sessions at Howard Davis Farm to provide more information, answer questions and accept feedback; details will follow shortly. The deadline for all submissions to the Green Paper is Tuesday 20 April 2010.
You can find an electronic version of the Issues and Options paperr on the States website. It includes the facility to make electronic submissions and to complete an online questionnaire. You can also email your responses and general comments to: resreview@gov.je, or write to the RES review team at Rural Economy Section, Howard Davis Farm, La Route de la Trinite, Trinity, JE3 5JP.
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