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Country Land and Business Association

» Policy Work

The CLA lobbies decision makers on behalf of its members and has almost one hundred years experience of influencing Government policy at local, national and European level.

Working for You

CLA's lobbying effort on behalf of our members is continuous. Members can access frequent updates on how the CLA is working for you, what the current issues are and how they are being addressed.

Our Priorities

The role of the CLA as the organisation defending the interest of those who live and work in the countryside has never been more important.

Surveys

Successful lobbying efforts require informative and credible data which the CLA produces through a range of surveys. The CLA are continuously seeking to compile factual responses to current issues that are of interest to our members, so help strengthen our lobbying powers by supporting our current surveys.

Consultation responses

The CLA actively responds to national and regional consultations. Such papers are designed to provoke reaction; therefore feedback is most welcome from members. Our members’ contributions facilitate an accurate and authoritative formal response from the CLA. You can help shape national policies by shaping our responses.

Policy Reports

The CLA is the authoritative voice for rural landowners and businesses which is evident through the diverse multitude of policy reports we produce. These politically influential reports are available to view by all members and non members.

Public Appointments

The CLA actively seeks out relevant and up to date Public Appointment vacancies and encourages members to apply.

Animal Health and Welfare

CAP Reform

In 2002, in its Mid-Term Review, the European Commission proposed a wide ranging reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, under which support payments, or farming subsidies, are made to European farmers.

Environment

The CLA recognizes that land management has an impact on the environment, like any industry, but it is also unique in that it provides environmental services, or "goods", as well.

Climate Change

Land managers are literally on the front-line of climate change and are having to adapt already to changes in weather patterns. Earlier sowing and longer growing seasons, the need for increased water storage for droughtier summers coupled with problems caused by increased winter flooding in some areas, are some of the changes land managers are having to face. The CLA accepts climate change as a challenge and an opportunity for rural businesses.

Flood and Coastal Erosion

With more evidence of climate change and sea level rise, with Defra announcing its intentions for future flood and coastal erosion risk management policy in March 2005 and with planning policy and property insurance likely to take much more notice of flood risk, the protection of our coastline and our defences against river flooding have become hot issues.

These pages aim to keep members up to date with the latest policy developments and CLA action.

Food Chain Initiative

The aim of the initiative is to bring together all those with an interest in promoting good quality British food in order to raise the awareness of consumers, food producers, suppliers, retailers as well as public policy makers to the value of well produced food.

Heritage

Our heritage includes many thousands of listed buildings, schedule ancient monuments and historic landscapes, a high proportion of which are situated in rural areas. They form an essential part of the historical backdrop in which we live our everyday lives.Our heritage includes many thousands of listed buildings, schedule ancient monuments and historic landscapes, a high proportion of which are situated in rural areas. They form an essential part of the historical backdrop in which we live our everyday lives.

Planning and Housing

The planning system has a major role to play in ensuring economic vitality and delivering sustainable development in rural areas.

Public Access

The CLA Access Team is actively involved in the debate on the wide spectrum of public access issues, the CLA lobbies on behalf of the membership raising the concerns of landowners and rural business to all levels of government in England and Wales.

Rural Development Programme for England

The Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13 should provide funding for agri-environment schemes and rural development projects. The scheme has been delayed and did not start on 1st January 2007. These pages provide further information about these delays and the way that RDPE funding will be used in your area.

Renewable Energy

Whilst energy efficiency is the first best option to address the challenge of climate change, CLA argues that renewable energy must be a part of the mix to reduce UK CO2 emissions. At the same time, oil and gas stocks are failing to meet demand, and prices are rising, giving rise to fears for the security of our energy supplies.

CLA has published a major review of current renewable energy policy, and made a number of recommendations to secure a better future for the countryside and the rural economy.

Game Shoot Standards

CLA members who run game shoots will wonder why, with the risk from Avian Influenza, rising insurance and game handling costs, scrutiny from the VAT authorities, and the wider mounting pressures on their shoots, their own representative organisations are now asking more from them. Many members contacted my own team at the CLA with concerns that, as they already comply with the Code of Good Shooting Practice (the Code), any Assurance scheme is likely to be expensive and unnecessary.

Taxation

The CLA Taxation Department is concerned with all aspects of national taxation that affect land transactions conducted in England & Wales.

Tenancy Deposit Schemes

Since the passing of the Housing Act 2004 - Tenancy Deposit Schemes (TDS) with their aim of reducing the perceived mismanagement of deposits and in particular unfair retention, have been on their way. The Implemention date is now set for 6th April 2007 and if you take a deposit under an assured shorthold tenancy after this date you will have to safeguard the deposit in one of the three Government approved Tenancy Deposit Schemes. Find out here more about how they will work.