CLA

The Government has consulted on the merits of adding culling to the list of which Bovine TB can be controlled and eradicated. 

For years the CLA has been pressing the government to do more to mitigate the impact of bTB on rural business.  The effect the disease has had on farmers and others in the South West and the Midlands is appalling.  Thousands of cattle are slaughtered each year at huge financial and emotional cost to farmers.  Moreover the costs to the tax payer are significant and rising year on year.

The CLA opposes the FSA's proposal, it is felt that by allowing the consultation document itself shows that the FSA has prejudged the situation, assuming that anyone who disagrees with their interpretation is non-compliant with food law.  Thus they cannot be allowed to be judge, jury and executioner and the Food Business Operator must be allowed to remain in business to have the case heard by an independent appeal.

Whilst there is some genuine attempts to reduce regulation, the CLA finds the attempt to ban advertising to farmers frankly ridiculous, denying information to an industry in the internet age must surely be the last gasp of an out of touch bureaucracy desperate to micromanage.

The CLA welcomes some of the suggested changes and would encourage government to adopt a proportionate and risk-based easing of regulation

This document sets out the CLA's response to Defra's consultation on The Future of Defra's Agricultural Statistics

This consultation was on how the EU Sustainable Use Directive should be enshrined in UK regulation.  The CLA argues for no gold-plating of UK regulation, no arbitrary pesticide reduction targets, the ability to continue to aerial spray and the need to use plant protection products in areas to which the public have access.  The CLA also argues against further prior-notification of spraying, and against increasing the burden of sprayer testing.

Following a report by the Environment Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee MPs held a debate in the House of Commons on animal welfare. The CLA sent a briefing to MPs highlighting the need for the UK Government to maintain and promote the UK’s high animal welfare standards post Brexit. 

In advance of MPs debating the Bill that would give the Prime Minister the power to trigger Article 50 the CLA sent a briefing to all rural MPs highlighting the key opportunities and risks that Brexit presents to the rural economy. These include a future support scheme, trade, regulation and labour.