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2007 should be a year when the UK celebrates the unique achievements of land owners and farmers in delivering top quality food and a landscape, environment and habitat that is cherished by the nation.
That’s the new year message from John Mortimer, Regional Director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). The organisation celebrates its centenary this year, and Mr Mortimer acknowledged it has a number of major issues to address in 2007.
“There are still many challenges ahead – including the extension of access rights to coastal land, managing the uplands and the future of hill farming, bovine TB and how to rid rural enterprises of the curse of red tape are among the key issues,” he said.
Mr Mortimer argued excessive bureaucracy was a growing problem for landowners and rural businesses across the UK: “Let us hope that 2007 finally produces the match to light the long awaited bonfire of red tape and regulation.”
Looking back over 2006, he said it was incredible that the Single Farm Payment Scheme had still not been put right, and that the Government still refused to move towards a proactive policy on Bovine TB.
“Ministers should not lose sight of the fact that EU policy puts the UK government under an obligation to eradicate the disease - but there are still more than 3,000 herds under restriction,” he added.
“Studies have shown that the high incidence of TB in badgers means they remain a risk to themselves, to other wildlife, to cattle and to cats and dogs – animals in which we have seen a worrying increase in the level of TB over the past year.
“It is the persistent failure to take appropriate action which has resulted in the situation we are in today and I do hope the Minister will finally take the steps necessary to eradicate this disease in 2007.”
The next phase of the public access issue - access to coastal land – poses a significant potential threat to land owners, and Mr Mortimer argued that Natural England (the body tasked with delivering “improvements” in coastal access) would hopefully make a good job of it.
“We believe that Natural England is becoming increasingly aware of the conflicts that arise within land management and is taking time to try and find a more sensible solution than that proposed by the die hard activists,” said Mr Mortimer. “There is much more thinking to be done before a sensible and practical way forward can be delivered – but we live in hope!”
Renewable Energy is gathering a little more pace and the imminent start of building for the Green Spirit Fuels biofuel plant at Henstridge in Somserset is a significant step forward. Provided the Government can give sufficient incentives, there are promising long term opportunities for farmers and land owners with a requirement of 350,000 tons of wheat a year – local growers should be at a considerable advantage.
“Looking to the future, if we are to continue the swing away from commodity production to more diverse land-based businesses then it demands to be supported by a positive approach from planners - vision, as well as control, is needed,” said Mr Mortimer.
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