Countryside Alliance sets out election manifesto

Introducing the manifesto, the Alliance chairman Kate Howey says farmers and other rural businesses should have the right to compete in fair markets at home and abroad.

The manifesto says farming and land management are central to the character, environment and well-being of Britain.

Innovation exists at all levels and in all sectors of the rural economy and there is, within British farming, significant, yet untapped, potential for new and dynamic industries.

It says ensuring Britain has the right mix of food and energy to meet the dual challenges of global instability and climate change is not something that can be achieved in Whitehall alone, and is something farmers will, as they have done before, relish.

If, however, British farmers are to continue to make their valuable contribution it is vital the industry receives the recognition it deserves, as this will enable it to unlock its potential for the benefit of all.

The manifesto says policies, at both UK and EU level, should acknowledge the many overlapping functions of farming and not promote one element at the expense of another. Any policies should, as far as possible, be ‘future-proofed’ so farmers have the stability they need to make long-term decisions and investments in terms of both time and money.

The alliance is calling for investment in agricultural research and education to ensure British agriculture remains at the forefront of an international and ever-changing industry.

It says the potential of farming and its by-products as a significant and often existing source of renewable energy should be harnessed, not only as a way of mitigating climate change but also of increasing Britain’s energy mix.

It says the procurement of British produce must be a priority for all public bodies, and a mandatory country-of-origin labelling framework should be adopted, which would give consumers an informed choice and represent an important step to give British farmers and produced the support they deserve.

The manifesto says country pursuits should receive a fair and balanced hearing in Parliament and in public and the Hunting Act should be repealed as it is ‘unworkable’, a ‘bad law’ and ‘bad for animal welfare’.

It also calls for shooting sports to be given full support of Government and sports funding, and Home Office guidance should be provided to police forces on how to counter animal rights intimidation and violence in the countryside.   

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