A RURAL campaign group is calling on decision-makers to remember agriculture and the environment when it comes to Brexit.

The CLA has launched its New Opportunities campaign, which is calling on rural MPs across Dorset and the south west to help secure a strong future for the rural economy.

The organisation represents 6,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses across the region and the campaign aims to ensure that farming the rural economy and the environment are high on the Government’s agenda as the UK prepares for Brexit. 

The first two in the CLA’s series of New Opportunities briefings, each exploring a priority Brexit issues for farming and the countryside and setting out the critical decisions that government must make, can be found at www.cla.org.uk/newopportunities. 

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “The process of the UK exiting the European Union will lead to the single biggest change in the way we organise and run businesses across the British countryside for generations. The CLA ‘New Opportunities’ Campaign is a chance for people that live and work in the countryside to come together and stand up for rural businesses.

“We are asking MPs to support the campaign and champion a future that allows rural businesses to thrive. A number of MPs are already engaging with the Chancellor and the Environment Secretary on rural issues, and we are calling on our regional MP’s to add their voices.”

He added: “Rural businesses, Ministers and MPs must work closely together to ensure that farmers and other rural businesses can have the confidence they need to plan ahead, invest and grow.” 

The CLA is asking MPs to support the organisation’s work to secure these priority commitments from government: 

  •  A commitment to deliver a fully-funded world-leading Food, Farming and Environment Policy
  • A commitment to prioritise agriculture and food exports in Brexit and trade negotiations
  • A commitment to ensure the UK has world-leading business-friendly regulations that protect consumers and the environment
  • A commitment to ensure businesses across the rural economy have access to the workers they need to grow their business 

The CLA is running a number of roadshows for MPs to discuss Brexit issues with landowners, farmers and rural businesses, as well as provide members with updates, analysis and advice.

They will also create a forum for discussion and consultation.