Grass-roots Devon Inquiry Report

Grass-roots is the report of the Devon inquiry, outlining a sustainable future for food, farming and countryside in Devon and the South West.

“The largest of the south west counties, Devon is largely rural and boasts two National Parks, five AONBs and two coastlines. The majority of farmland is either permanent or temporary grass with smaller proportions of arable and woodland. Food, farming and the countryside are critical to the local economy- agriculture employs around nineteen thousand people directly, to say nothing of the wider network it supports. The county is also proud of its strong local food sector as well as rural tourism and other rural based businesses. Given the importance of these sectors to Devon, we welcome the opportunity for the Commission to connect local challenges with wider national debate. It is vital we do this to ensure the county and its communities can thrive in the future. Local knowledge and local solutions should be a key part of this progress.”

David Fursdon, Commissioner and Chair of the Devon Locally Led Inquiry.