Gloucestershire Branch AGM Chairman's Report 2025

It looks as if all our fears about the government have been realised. We tried to be optimistic that with such a large majority Labour would bring a new perspective to our sector, but it seems they are not listening and lack any real rural understanding. In the aftermath of the chancellor’s changes to APR & BPR the CLA came up with a credible alternative approach, but it was rejected. Now in a second sweep of the pen they have closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive with no consultation. Nevertheless, it is not the time to disengage however cross we find ourselves!

Our recent CLA committee meeting discussed ‘Big Picture’ papers on Net Zero and a Land Use Framework, creating a rural strategic approach and coordinating our voices so that Government will hopefully hear the people ‘on the ground’ and supportively pace transitions. It is also an important time to position ourselves in the minds of the public, so a consultation on the purpose and brand of the CLA is a pertinent move.

What is clear to me is that food production must not be ‘off shored’ Net Zero is a global problem and we all have our part to play. If we import food from other countries with bad practices, then this does nothing to alleviate the problem. We also have to be realistic about carbon neutrality, if it is not achievable, we need to determine how we can improve our farming and our businesses to make them more environmental. The Land Use Framework is an interesting government co ordinating concept but the reality of the implementation, when we are feeling bruised by recent government decisions, makes it hard to be open minded. Perhaps in time there maybe technological or scientific answers but currently the demands on land and the divisions between rural and urban thinking have never felt so defined.

I am grateful to the committee members who give up much of their time for the CLA and especially to Ann Maidment and her Southwest team for all their organisational and informative support.

Lastly, we on the Gloucestershire committee have been lucky to learn from and need to thank our wise and visionary President, Sir Henry Elwes who is retiring this year having first joined the CLA in 1968. Sir Henry is passionate that people who live in rural areas should take an active role in local government. He has lived by this rule serving for 32 years on the District and County Councils. He believes we should look back at history but also move forwards, make modest improvements and adapt to our lifestyle changes. We would do well to take this pragmatic advice in the eye of the storm!