CLA President meets members at Essex AGM
James Gray is voted in as new Essex branch chairman
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President and Norfolk farmer Gavin Lane has addressed farmers, landowners and rural business owners at the association’s Essex AGM, held at Lord Rayleigh’s Farms near Chelmsford.
In front of nearly 100 guests, Gavin highlighted key policy areas on which the CLA continues to focus in support of those who live and work in the countryside. He emphasised the importance of the CLA continuing to have a voice with all political parties during the current uncertainty. “As an organisation, we have to be a sensible voice in the room,” Gavin said during the opening of his speech.
He went on to reference how CLA campaigning had been crucial in securing the partial uplift on inheritance tax (IHT) last year, but said that the government had not gone far enough. “I still feel that those people with larger, family-owned, rural businesses are being incredibly badly treated. Yes, we saw the IHT threshold go up, but it remains bad economic policy, and I just don’t understand why the government hasn’t taken this on board. We will keep pushing this point for many of you.”
Ahead of a tour of Lord Rayleigh’s Farms, Gavin touched on work that the CLA had done behind the scenes to influence the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which was abruptly halted last year before a new-look scheme was announced.
Recognising the new cap of £100k would be detrimental to some farms, a point the CLA continues to make to government, Gavin explained how the offer could have been significantly less had it not been for the CLA’s lobbying efforts.
He urged those considering applications to speak to the CLA’s advisers when preparing their submissions for the new-look SFI later this year. “Whether you’re going to be in the application window in June, or the second window later in the year, make sure you’re preparing your applications early.”
In a wide-ranging speech, Gavin also noted the work the CLA has been doing to support members who feel their voice is not being heard over planned major infrastructure projects in the region, such as the Norwich to Tilbury electricity line proposals. “If you don’t feel that you’re getting on well with the agents for these national infrastructure projects, or you don’t feel that you’re being listened to, please talk to our team.”
During the CLA Essex AGM, James Gray was voted in as the new branch chairman, taking over from Caroline Ratcliff, who has completed her term in the role.
Welcoming James to the role, CLA East Director, Cath Crowther, said: “We are delighted to have James as the new chairman of our Essex branch, and his knowledge of farming and rural business are an important asset for our organisation.
“Farmers and land managers are facing challenges on numerous fronts. Everything from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East driving up fuel and fertiliser prices, uncertainty over funding through environmental farming schemes, through to rural crime.
“Having James help steer our committee in Essex will ensure our members’ voices are heard both in CLA policy making and in our national lobbying work.
“I thank Caroline Ratcliff for her commitment to the CLA as she completes her term as chair.”