CLA insists approach to CAP is right

The Country Land and Business Association has repeated its call for a twin-track approach to CAP negotiations, giving food production support and the environment equal importance. 

CLA president William Worsley made the call as he gave a major speech setting out his vision for the countryside at the association’s spring council meeting (3 March).

“We have relentlessly pushed the concept of food and environmental security,” he said. 

“Our philosophy that the CAP must help maintain our capacity to produce food while at the same time protecting and sustaining the natural environment, is paramount.  That means farmers need to be paid for producing food and for helping the environment.” 

Also in his speech the CLA president attacked the coalition government’s proposals for coastal access.

“The CLA was fundamentally opposed to the last government’s proposals for coastal access in England,” Mr Worsley said. 

“The proposals were wholly unnecessary and it is wasteful and absurd that coalition is implementing its predecessor’s crazy plans at a cost of £50m pounds,” he said.