Uplands Vision is a step in the right direction but ignores economics, says CLA

The CLA today said Natural England’s newly launched Uplands Vision was welcome but missed the key point – economics.

The report, Vital Uplands: A 2060 Vision for England’s Upland Environment, was published today.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "We are pleased Natural England has produced this report as it will open up debate. However, the future of upland land management is hanging by a thread. Miserable market returns for products such as milk, beef, sheep and wool mean that upland farms are surviving purely on public payments and yet their average farm business income is only £10,400.

"Natural England rightly aims to make upland management sustainable but the key factor they are missing is the economics of such areas. Without upland management, the food, fibre, clean water as well as sporting and recreation interests that are enjoyed by everyone would not exist. For management you need people and people need an income.

"Natural England needs to acknowledge market failure is the core issue affecting upland areas before any sort of vision can be realised."

The CLA President added: "Unless there are public payments for the services that the uplands provide or other private funding this Vision will simply collapse.

"The CLA will continue to work with Natural England and industry partners on how to ensure the Vision addresses the market failures of upland areas."