The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on the appointment of Dame Angela Eagle as Secretary of State at EFRA.
CLA President Gavin Lane, said:
“We welcome Angela Eagle back to DEFRA and are ready to work closely with her to champion our countryside. We also want to thank Emma Reynolds for her hard work and dedication during her time in this role.
“Angela returns to a huge opportunity: £22.5 billion of untapped growth in rural Britain. Behind that figure are thousands of businesses ready to grow and invest. But wild weather, falling profits and damaging tax changes are making it harder than ever to do so.
“As wildfires become routine occurrences in the UK, lifting the ban on controlled burning must be top of her in tray. The creation of fire breaks and reducing the fuel load by limited burning must be considered along with all other potential solutions. We need every tool at our disposal.
“We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Angela and her team to clear these obstacles and put rural Britain back where it belongs: at the heart of the country’s growth story.”
