Helen shares this latest news from Country Land and Business Association. Ed
More than eight out of ten people (84%) think the Government should spend money on preserving and managing the countryside, with 61% saying that the current spend of £3billion per year is either the right amount of public money to spend on it (40%) or too little (21%).
Just over a quarter (27%) said the landscape was the feature they most enjoy about visiting the countryside and just under half (44%) knew that farmers and landowners are responsible for managing it.
42% of people surveyed thought food production should be one of the top priorities for government investment in the countryside with flood management, enhancing wildlife and planting trees coming close behind.
Uniting those who love and those who work the countryside
Polling company YouGov surveyed more than 1,500 people for the CLA which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses to highlight public support for continued investment in the countryside post-Brexit.
The CLA is running a campaign which aims to unite people who love the countryside and believe investing in it should remain a national priority for the UK Government. The results of the survey are due to be unveiled at BBC Countryfile Live on 3 August.
CLA President Ross Murray said:
“It is reassuring to see that the countryside matters to so many of the Great British public. Our survey has shown a ringing endorsement of how important investing in the countryside is so that we can continue to eat nutritious and wholesome food, breathe clean air and enjoy a rich diversity of wildlife.
“Managing the landscape, producing quality food and planting trees bring benefits to every person who lives in, works in, or enjoys visiting our countryside. But these benefits require investment. We have a unique opportunity post-Brexit to ensure farmers and landowners are better recognised for undertaking this vital work.
“The CLA has set out a vision for a Land Management Contract as a new way to deliver what is needed, using public money more cost-effectively to reward land managers for this wide range of public benefits. We will be promoting the contract to the Government over the coming months to help develop a new food, farming and environmental policy.
“So now is the time to take action. If you believe in a vibrant, living and working countryside then you believe the countryside matters.
“Support our call for continued investment in the countryside by signing up on the Website, back the campaign @clatweets and tell us why the countryside matters to you using the hashtag #thecountrysidematters.”
BBC Countryfile Live
The CLA will be taking The Countryside Matters campaign to BBC Countryfile Live from 3-6 August, telling visitors at the event why investing in the countryside should be a government priority and how the return on that investment benefits everyone.
Image: © Les Lockhart
