CLA discusses rural issues with parliamentary candidates across the South East
Team organises farm visits ahead of general election, with planning, ELM schemes and crime among the hot topics
With a general election edging closer, the CLA South East team has been busy engaging with current MPs as well as parliamentary candidates of all colours to ensure rural issues are high on their agendas.
Farmers, landowners and rural businesses are the backbone of many constituencies, and with a considerable number of seats up for grabs (especially those with relatively small majorities) the rural vote is all to play for.
We recently welcomed vet Danny Chambers, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Winchester, on a farm in west of the city. Topics such as the wet winter, trade deals and the rural skills gap were covered by the CLA members present.
Other recent visits include inviting Helena Dollimore, the Labour parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye – a tight marginal seat – onto a farm in the constituency. Host Andrew Dunlop gave a tour and discussed issues including payment schemes, diversification, flooding and rural crime.
We also met with the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the new Dorking and Horley seat in Surrey, Marisa Heath. Hosts Paula and Laurence Matthews of Manor Farm gave a tour and discussed issues including the lack of abattoirs in the South East, problems with the RPA and bovine tuberculosis.
CLA South East Regional Director Tim Bamford said: "We thank all of our hosts and attendees for their time and interest, at such a vital time for farming and the rural sector.
"It has been pleasing to see candidates both knowledgeable about, and hugely committed to, the rural community and we look forward to continuing to build close relationships to ensure the rural voice is heard."
If you would like to host a farm visit, please email mike.sims@cla.org.uk
