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CLA reaction to Secretary of
State Speech to Oxford Farming Conference
THE CLA, which represents more than 30,000 farmers,
landowners and rural businesses, has welcomed the commitments made by
Environment Secretary Michael Gove, at the Oxford Farming Conference, on
Thursday, 4 January 2018. CLA Director of Policy Christopher Price said:-
"Exiting the European Union gives us a once in a generation opportunity to build
a new food and land use policy that is significantly better than the CAP. This
speech is the latest evidence that Government is embracing our vision for a new
policy based on rewarding farmers for the range of public benefits they deliver.
We have been clear that significant change is necessary but it is right to take
the necessary time to design and implement a policy without causing immediate
and dramatic disruption to thousands of farming businesses across the
countryside. We are pleased the Secretary of State has listened to our concerns
on this issue and extended the period of operation of the existing basic payment
scheme to ensure a full and smooth transition. We also welcome the Secretary of
State's commitment that no business entering a Countryside Stewardship scheme
will be unfairly disadvantaged. This guarantee will help to give farmers
confidence to enter schemes this year and next. We must not lose any momentum in
improving participation in environmental schemes. We will consider the
forthcoming consultation on capping of payments closely. The Secretary of State
has been clear that businesses must be rewarded for what they do, not the amount
of land they own. That will not be the case if a poorly thought through and
rushed capping policy excludes and alienates businesses simply because of their
size."
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