Summer shows give CLA East platform to press key rural issues
An update on political discussons during another busy show season
The summer agricultural shows have once again provided a valuable opportunity for the CLA East team to engage with politicians from across the region and highlight the key issues facing members.
Recurring themes in conversations included inheritance tax; the importance of home-grown, high-quality food; the Sustainable Farming Incentive and the impact of a funding cap; water management; and rural housing, including the challenges of the planning system.
The CLA repeatedly stressed the need for consistent policy if politicians were to gain the confidence of rural industries.
The season began at the Essex Young Farmers Show, where productive discussions were held with Chelmsford MP Marie Goldman and Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson, who also serves as a Shadow Defra Minister. Prior to the show, the CLA had also engaged with Witham MP Priti Patel, who was unable to attend, but later joined the CLA Essex Summer Visit and AGM.
At the Suffolk Show, Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter addressed a full CLA marquee on the first day. As a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Select Committee, Jenny spoke about the support the CLA had provided since her election.
The CLA also met Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, with discussions focusing heavily on water management. Following the show, CLA Surveyor Juliet Stephens attended a water summit hosted by Peter in his constituency, where she ensured the voices of farmers and landowners were clearly represented on the topic.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk, was unable to make the show but CLA Director Cath Crowther joined him for a farming update event later in the week.
In Lincolnshire, Shadow Farming Minister Robbie Moore, whose family farms in the county, spoke at the CLA breakfast on the opening day of the Lincolnshire Show. He was joined by CLA President Gavin Lane, who updated attendees on the organisation’s latest policy work. Lincolnshire Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns also met with the CLA to discuss key challenges affecting the rural economy.
On the second day, Shadow Secretary of State and MP for Louth and Horncastle, Victoria Atkins, joined CLA East Director Cath Crowther and members at the show for a roundtable discussion.
At the Royal Norfolk Show, a packed CLA marquee hosted a political panel discussion featuring five local MPs: Terry Jermy, Ben Goldsborough, George Freeman, James Wild and Jerome Mayhew. North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone also met with the CLA during the show.
On day two, the CLA held an introductory meeting with newly appointed Farming Minister Stephen Morgan. Having been in post for just over a week, it was an important opportunity to brief him on the CLA’s core work and its role in representing rural communities.
Looking ahead, the CLA expects to meet Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds at Groundswell in Hertfordshire this week, along with a range of other political and stakeholder meetings planned.
Alongside the MP engagement, the CLA met with county council officials, rural policing teams, police and crime commissioners and a range of other civil servants and stakeholders at the shows.
In the media, CLA representatives featured in top stories on both ITV and BBC TV and also conducted a range of radio interviews.