From milking parlours to grain stores, CLA gets MPs on farms to learn about rural issues
MPs from across political spectrum don their wellies to visit members across South East
The CLA South East team has been busy meeting with new MPs on farm this autumn, getting mud on their wellies to learn more about our industry.
The region is awash with new parliamentary faces, many of whom represent predominantly rural seats.
We have met scores of MPs from across the political spectrum, and while some cheerfully admit they know little about farming or rural issues all of the ones we have met have genuinely been in listening mode.
Key topics have included the farming budget, tax and the archaic planning system, regardless of the constituency we were in.
Hemp, wild swimming and more
The Wasing Estate hosted Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Olivia Bailey, for a chat about everything from planning to growing hemp, followed by a fascinating tour of its wedding venue, festivals site and wild swimming lake.
Labour MP for Aylesbury, Laura Kyrke-Smith, visited the Ascott Estate in her constituency for an insightful discussion on the whole rural economy, and how systems and bodies can help unlock potential if they work as enablers.
The CLA team spent a whole day with Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wycombe, giving her a tour of different rural businesses. We visited several farms and were able to show Emma cows being milked, a livery yard, diversification projects, grain stores and much more. Our thanks in particular go to Ted Howard-Jones for helping to organise.
We have also been meeting with opposition MPs, such as Andrew Griffith who represents Arundel and South Downs. Mr Griffith hosted a ‘farm to fork’ summit and CLA director Tim Bamford was invited to share our thoughts on the National Planning Policy Framework consultation with the audience.
Alison Bennett, the Lib Dem MP for Mid Sussex, was hosted by Annie Brown. Alison met CLA members and was given a tour by Annie, discussing everything from housing policy to farmers’ relationships with the big supermarkets.
How you can help
We are always looking for CLA members to host a farm visit with their MP.
Please email mike.sims@cla.org.uk to volunteer – visits are informal and can really make a difference.
