“As we enter a new year we must start by ensuring we have a proper understanding of the scale and importance of rural business to our national economy. There are more than 600,000 rural businesses employing 2.8 million people in England and Wales.

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Ross Murray

“Our main priority for 2016 is to ensure that Government, Ministers and others recognise that these farming and other rural businesses are modern, diverse and innovative. All sectors of the economy are present in our rural communities and these businesses will play a critical role in meeting the challenge of growth, job creation and increased productivity in the months and years ahead.

“To achieve this Ministers must ensure that the needs of rural businesses are fully considered as new policy is developed. It is also vitally important that Government at all levels is considering the needs of rural communities when deciding where to invest in critical infrastructure, from broadband to road and rail. Throughout 2016 the CLA will be bringing decision makers and rural businesses together through a range of events around the country throughout the year.

“CLA lobbying has been successful in 2015 and we have influenced many of the decisions that will benefit the countryside because of it. The Prime Minister’s announcement in November of a Universal Service Obligation of 10 Mbps by the end of this parliament was a particularly important milestone in a ten year CLA campaign. This commitment serves only to increase our determination to make sure Government and industry stick to this promise and ensure that a fast and reliable connection becomes a reality for every rural home and business.

“2016 will be a critical year for farming as we continue to struggle with a perfect storm of poor prices across a range of agricultural commodities and a volatile global marketplace not helped by the strength of sterling. A strong farming sector will always be the necessary foundation of a strong rural economy.

“The immediate priority is to ensure that farmers receive their basic support payments as soon as possible. The Rural Payments Agency must deliver on its commitment to have paid the vast majority by the end of January and endeavour to pay everyone as early in the new year as possible.

“We will also be looking to the long term with the publication of the 25 year strategy for food and farming early next year. It will be followed by an equally important 25 year strategy for the environment. The CLA is playing a full part in the development of both. It is vital that these strategies provide farmers with the reassurance that they will continue to receive support from Government. This is vital not only to ensure that the industry is resilient in difficult times, but also to ensure we fulfil our potential to lead the world in the quality of our produce and our land management practice.

“As the world sets about delivering on the Climate Change commitments made in Paris, the two 25 year strategies must acknowledge the vital role that landowners play in the adaption and mitigation of climate change. Many CLA members are dealing right now with the effects of extreme weather and flooding and we are committed to playing a full and constructive part in ongoing discussions about the future of land use to manage this particular challenge. Landowners have always taken a long term view on what actions and investments are needed to ensure we hand on land to the next generation in a better state that we inherited it. This challenge is important now as it has ever been.