Barbara Mackie
Out Rawcliffe landowner Barbara Mackie has been elected as the new Chairman of CLA’s Lancashire branch committee – one of the largest branches in the country.
Speaking at this week’s branch committee meeting Mrs Mackie said:
"I am pleased and honoured to be elected Chairman of the Lancashire Branch of the CLA. I well remember my father’s words; he joined the CLA because he thought it was the best organisation to represent his interests in the corridors of power and I know this is still true today.
"I strongly support the aims of the CLA in promoting a viable and sustainable countryside that will maintain the rural economy and way of life, but the challenges we face today are, in many ways, greater than ever.
"Food security is a priority. Government has to be persuaded to support agricultural research and development, and to find a proper balance between the demands of modern farming and environmental concerns that will allow farms to survive and prosper – and feed the nation as Lancashire has done in the past.
"Climate change is possibly the biggest challenge facing land managers and our Members will need help and guidance in adapting to changing weather patterns and sea levels.
"In a country where the rural population is relatively small, and the proportion that lives and works in the countryside even smaller, we need a strong voice to carry our concerns to the rest of the nation.
"Our members are the guardians of the countryside, and I will keep focused on the problems we are currently facing, such as the uncontrolled spread of bovine TB, the micro-management rules and restrictions that the Government and its agents impose upon us, and the spread of menaces such as fly-tipping.
"Finally, we need to encourage young farmers so there are future generations to build on the foundations we lay."