Gummer chooses Royal Show to launch policy review

The Conservative party is to launch a major review of agricultural and rural policies at the Royal Show, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from July 1-4 2007.

Initial recommendations from the Quality of Life Report will be presented by Rt Hon John Gummer MP, chairman of the Policy Group, on the Tuesday (July 3). The full report covers a diverse range of policy matters, including not only agriculture, food and rural issues but also issues like policy formulation on the built environment, energy and transport. At the Royal Show John Gummer will highlight some of the recommendations relating to food and agriculture that will be made in the final report, to be submitted to David Cameron.

This will provide input to the Conservative Party on a range of rural and agriculture issues and addresses concerns about the neglect of rural issue in recent years. The final report is expected to highlight the failings of Defra and its agencies in implementing rural and agriculture policy and CAP reform in particular, as well as flaws in rural planning and the democratic deficit in rural areas.

The report will be presented at the show as part of a remit from show organiser the Royal Agricultural Society of England to stimulate debate on the future of agriculture and rural policy in England.

"We're delighted that the Conservative party has chosen the Royal Show to launch this major rural policy review," comments the Society chief executive Professor John Moverley. "It underlines the show's role as the platform of choice for politicians of all parties to set their agendas that shapes the future of British Agriculture. This report promises to be thought-provoking and I look forward to the ensuing debate."