Moulton Seas End grower Matthew Naylor has been feeling the backlash since he spoke out nationally against making life too easy for young farmers.
Matthew, who farms in partnership with his father Nev at Moulton Seas End, writes a regular column in a farmers’ publication.
When he wrote arguing that the next generation shouldn’t get too much too soon, it sparked a huge response, some in support but much more in disagreement.
Matthew believes young people shouldn’t receive a leg-up because “there is a very bright future for anyone in agriculture” with food prices rising, a shortage of land and population growth.
He said: “For that reason I don’t see why we should be making it too easy for people coming into it.”
Matthew isn’t too dismayed by the rumpus as he says: “It was a bit of fun.”
In any case he has been shortlisted for the business columnist of the year in the PPA awards.