CLA Public Affairs

The CLA influences government policy at local, national and European level by arguing our members’ case from a strong base of evidence. We maintain a constant dialogue with key decision-makers and opinion-formers in order to protect our members’ interests.

Latest News

House of Lords Innovation in European Union Agriculture Debate

Peers debated the European Union Committee report on innovation in agriculture on Monday 6 February. The CLA briefed Peers in advance of the debate having previously provided evidence to the European Union Committee’s inquiry.

The issues debated included Europe’s innovation environment, the challenges of feeding a growing population and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defra Lord Taylor of Holbeach told the House about the CLA’s role in the new farming advice service offering professional advice that was launched on 1 January.

Climate Change Risk Assessment

CLA Deputy President Henry Robinson attended a Business Breakfast on 1 February hosted by the Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The aim of the breakfast was to examine the risks and opportunities regarding the Climate Change Risk Assessment. Along with business and industry representatives, Mr Robinson emphasised to the Secretary of State that land managers are part of the solution to adapting to climate change given they farm and manage half the countryside.

Bovine TB

In a written ministerial statement laid before Parliament on 19 January Defra announced the two pilot areas for the controlled culling of badgers. Farmers and landowners in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset have been invited to submit applications to Natural England. The CLA welcomes Government’s determination to combat bovine TB and fully supports the work being done by Defra, Natural England and the NFU to ensure this is a success.

Westminister and Wales

The CLA monitors Parliamentary business in both Westminster and Wales in order to influence any legislation which may affect CLA Members.

We regularly send briefings to Members of Parliament on issues which affect the rural economy.

Brussels

The CLA works closely with its sister organisation the European Landowners Organization on all matters in Brussels which have the potential to affect CLA Members.

Campaigns

The CLA regularly runs campaigns on behalf of its members. Member involvement in CLA campaigns is crucial if they are to be a success.

Lobbying Contact

James Sheward
Interim Director of Public Affairs

James, as interim Head of Public Affairs, is responsible for the CLA's political strategy and parliamentary lobbying.

T: 020 7460 7957
F: 020 7235 4696
james.sheward@cla.org.uk

Join the CLA today

Anyone who owns rural land or runs a rural business will benefit from joining the CLA.

Click here to find out how

The CLA Game Fair 2012

20 - 22 July 2012 Belvoir Castle. Grantham, Leicestershire.

Visit The Game Fair website.

CLA’s exclusive insurance provider delivers a wide range of products for your home, motor vehicles, estate, farm, land or business.

Country Land and Business Association Limited. Registered Office: 16 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PQ. Registered in England and Wales: 6131587. VAT Number: GB 238 7714 35

© 2012 Country Land and Business Association Limited (CLA). All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature without prior written permission of the copyright holder except as expressly permitted by law.

Disclaimer

No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action in reliance on or as a result of the material included in or omitted in this website can be or is accepted by the author(s), the CLA or its officers or trustees or employees or any other persons.

The Advisory Services are made available to members on the basis that members' rights to compensation and the liability (if any) of CLA and its officers and/or its staff advisers, are restricted in the following ways. In the event of any advice given by any CLA staff adviser being given negligently or otherwise being incorrect no liability whatsoever is accepted by the CLA or its officers or by its staff advisers concerned

(a) towards any person who is not the current CLA member to whom the advice was directly given,

(b) to any person in the respect of consequential loss or loss of profits, or

(c) to any person for any sum exceeding £50,000 in respect of any one enquiry (whether made or responded to orally or in writing and whether dealt with at one time or over a period of time).

Any person making use of the Advisory Services accepts such restrictions. Members should refer to appropriate professional advisers in private practice before taking any particular course of action potentially or actually involving any substantial amounts of money.

Please note that whilst the advisers are able to advise on a wide range of subjects relating to land ownership, they cannot act in place of a member's own solicitor, accountant, surveyor and tax specialist by, for example, drafting documents or corresponding on their behalf and may be precluded, by the rules of their own professions, from advising one CLA member against another CLA member in the case of conflict.

Solicitors Indemnity Fund . Solicitors in the CLA Legal Team are not covered by the Solicitors Indemnity Fund in relation to professional negligence in relation to any advice given by them.

Please note that from time to time telephone calls maybe recorded for training purposes.