Industry Eye: Future of the countryside needs to be shaped by those people who understand it

If we are to successfully tackle these challenges, a different approach to countryside policy is needed. In recognition of this, the Conservatives have launched a new online forum, Future Countryside, to encourage debate, provide a platform for discussion about countryside issues and help to form policy for the future.

As land managers, we strive to play our part in ensuring that we have a vibrant rural economy. In order to do so, it is imperative that future policy recognises that while the countryside is a vital natural resource, it cannot be preserved in aspic. Change is essential if the countryside is to thrive, and policies that encourage the delivery of change must emerge if we are to meet future challenges.

Our countryside provides homes, places of work and recreation – and is an important national resource. In times of relatively-free international trade, the importance of that resource can sometimes be forgotten.

It is within living memory that our countryside was last called upon to meet the nation's need for food, water and energy – and it may be again. Although it is unrealistic to think that we can survive as an island without significant lifestyle sacrifice, protecting our agricultural resource and supporting viable renewable energy schemes are key countryside policies.

Conservationist lobby groups cannot be the principal drivers of this policy in these areas in the way that we have recently seen the RSPB influence the Government's desire to reintroduce set-aside in England whilst the rest of Europe has dropped it, thus limiting the nation's productive capacity and placing our farmers at an unnecessary competitive disadvantage. The CLA and NFU are now fighting a rearguard action to rescue the situation.

Most regulation inflicted upon the countryside is derived from Europe, and in turn from world trade and climate commitments. But care is not being taken in implementing these macro policies, the result being poor value for taxpayers, consumers, the environment and the rural economy.

Empowering landowners and land managers and ensuring European regulation is interpreted by those with a genuine understanding of our countryside is key.

Conservation policy must be considered alongside planning policy.

The rural economy has not prospered over the past decade. To reverse that trend, we would like to see the next government, whatever the colour, implement countryside policies that provide a framework to:

Deliver innovation and change;

Support viable alternative energy production;

Protect the environment without constraining our agricultural resource;

Reduce regulation and ensure it is implemented by those with a genuine understanding of the countryside;

Improve rural planning policies – recognising that what is regarded as sustainable in urban terms is killing rural communities.

You can join the debate at www.futurecountryside.com

James Farrell is a partner at Strutt & Parker. He can be contacted on 01423 706770 or by email at [email protected]