Rural economy in need of support - Baroness Miller

Speaking ahead of the Liberal Democrat opposition day debate on the rural economy in the House of Lords, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson, Baroness Miller, said:

"The Prime Minister talks of sustainable development and looking after the environment, but will not invest properly in efforts in the UK.

"Plans for rural development are lying in tatters after Blair slashed the EU budget for CAP rural development provision in the dying days of the EU Presidency. The UK Government has a choice now - it can write off environmental and economic development schemes for rural England or it can come up with the money from the exchequer. Rural areas need the cash to engage in proper land management and to invest in innovative schemes, such as growing renewable energy crops.

"The Buy Local policy is failing as foodstuffs that are easily produced here are shipped in from abroad, hurting both the rural economy and the environment.

"The rural economy upholds a way of life and a shared heritage that we can no longer afford to take for granted. Our rural areas need investment to ensure that the people there get a fair chance in life, and to enable them to succeed in their efforts to sustain the environment in the United Kingdom."