THE Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has responded to the Prime Minister's announcement today covering funding, permitted development rights, food security, and more. The expected announcement will include measures to make it easier for farmers to create farm shops and other businesses on their land.
Mr Sunak will also highlight £427 million in grants in 2024, including a doubling of the amount going to technology and innovation schemes to £220 million to support farmers increase productivity; such as robotics, roof-top solar and agricultural research.
Country Land and Business Association President Victoria Vyvyan said:- "We are pleased the government is listening, and we welcome these funding commitments that will allow farmers to create a more productive and resilient industry. This funding recognises that farmers can't fight climate change or biodiversity decline on a shoestring budget decimated by inflation. Defra has under spent its current budget for two years running, so the onus is now on making sure every penny is used to help deliver its world leading Environment Land Management schemes (ELMs). Over the course of the next Parliament, the sector will need at least £4bn a year to deliver the sort of environmental outcomes the UK Government is seeking. The CLA has campaigned for years for the expansion of permitted development rights to cut red tape in the planning system. On that basis, we welcome the news that it will be easier to convert disused farm buildings, and call on Government to redouble its efforts in creating growth in the rural economy."
