RURAL ISSUES AND OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES

Devolution means that many rural issues are the responsibility of local administrations in Wales and Scotland.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

The party has pledged to invest heavily in R&D in carbon removal and negative emissions. It will set a “UK bio-economy strategy” alongside CAP reform of agriculture and land use. The Lib Dems say they will restore the UK’s natural environment by cleaning up waterways, restoring peat bogs and planting trees. They would aim for Britain to get 80% of its electricity from green energy by 2030. Source: Liberal Democrats A Vision for Britain

SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY

The SNP says that by 2025, half of all funding for farmers and crofters will be tied to efficiency, productivity, biodiversity and sustainability. It will develop a single marketing brand for all Scottish produce: ‘Sustainably Scottish’. The party says neither fracking nor underground coal gasification have a place in Scotland’s energy mix. Source: SNP 2021 Election Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU

Plaid Cymru would introduce a Welsh Agriculture Bill that would place a greater emphasis on public goods, such as decarbonisation, regenerative agriculture, sustainable food production and enhanced biodiversity; and introduce a baseline support payment to offer the farming industry greater economic stability. It would introduce a Nature Act with statutory targets to restore biodiversity by 2050. Source: www.partyof.wales/amaeth_dyfodol_farming_future

GREEN PARTY OF ENGLAND AND WALES

The Green Party says Investment Zones will threaten the environment and money should instead be targeted at renewable energy and helping nature. “ELMS are not sufficient but are better than CAP,” said a spokesperson, “but we favour ELMS Plus, delivering public money for public good, plus a Land Value Tax rebated against nature regeneration work. We need domestic legislation at least as stringent as the European Union Habitats Directive and an independent court to enable citizens to challenge the Government if protective environmental legislation is breached.” Source: Written replies from Green Party press office