Defra has a change of heart in speech which means victory for CLA lobbying

The CLA has today welcomed the positive speech made by Secretary of State Hilary Benn at the prestigious Oxford Farming Conference which backs core CLA issues.

The speech made a notable change in tone compared to last year’s. In particular with food security which is now high up on Defra’s agenda as the Secretary of State highlighted the need for "…British agriculture to produce as much food as possible." The importance of which, the CLA lobbied on for some time.

Mr Benn supported the CLA’s views, lobbying and campaigning on issues such as the recognising the urgency of global food and environmental security, rejecting electronic sheep identification (EID) as a bad idea, challenging the EU on pesticide legislation and appealing against the recent pesticide spraying judgment in the UK.

The Secretary of State also relented on the issue of manures treated by anaerobic digestion being categorised as waste when used as fertilizer – and highlighted the success of the CLA’s CALM calculator which gives farms a carbon health check.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "This is a great success for the CLA; Defra has recognised and made u-turns on many issues we have been campaigning on for some time.

"We highlighted the inefficiency and huge potential cost of sheep EID and Defra have finally realised that it would be unlikely to achieve its objectives.

"Defra has also had a complete change of heart on the subject of anaerobic digestion which the CLA has lobbied hard for."

The CLA President added: "It is good to know that the CLA and other industry bodies will be supported in calling for an impact assessment on the pesticide ruling.

"Sustainability was another area highlighted, as well as recognition of the need to balance production and the environment with regards to the CAP health check. The CLA also welcomes the Minister’s pledged funding increase into development and research."