The CLA today (16 December) launched The Tide is High – a paper spelling out the Association's vision for water policy.

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 CLA President William Worsley said: "This is a key policy publication because it draws together what needs to be done by the Government to allow improvements to water resources and water quality, and to tackle the growing issue of flood and coastal defence, particularly through local solutions involving land managers.

 "We are asking the Government to take into account our arguments and vision for the future of water in England and Wales when forming policy."  

 On water resource, the CLA urges land managers to capture and use water more efficiently and calls for them to be supported and rewarded for delivering and managing sustainable supplies of water. The Government is asked to provide the policy framework, research and other supports needed to make this happen.

On water quality, the Association calls for the Government to combat water pollution by making a clear scientific and economic case for the quality standards imposed by the Nitrates and Water Framework Directives. The CLA also suggests incentives rather than regulation as the most effective way of getting land managers to tackle diffuse pollution of water.

With flood and coastal defence, the CLA suggests protecting good agricultural land for food production, rather than surrendering it to water, and empowering communities to develop local solutions. Key to this is getting the Government's backing for land managers' work in flood alleviation and coastal defence.

The CLA President added: "Water is such a vital area that it must not be allowed to be forgotten. Decisions made now will affect generations to come."