THE next government must set priorities to deliver for the countryside, according to a famers’ and landowners’ organisation.

That is the message the CLA is sending to prospective parliamentary candidates in rural seats across the region.

The organisation represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses and says securing resilience in farming, protecting the environment and ending the digital divide are among the challenges that the next government must address.

It has set out five priorities it says the next government must adopt to show that ti understands why the countryside matters and to make sure it thrives.

The priorities include delivering a Brexit that works for the countryside, creating homes that rural communities need and ending the digital divide between farmers.

The CLA says designing a tax regime that encourages rural businesses and omplementing a simpler, more cost-effective planning system should also be prioritised.

CLA North-East branch chairman, Andrew Martell, said: “The recently called general election gives rural voters in Northumberland, Durham, and the Tees Valley the opportunity to tackle our existing and prospective candidates on issues relevant to its rural economy.

“Despite earlier promises to address key issues, many remain unresolved.

“On behalf of the countryside, the CLA will especially be wielding its cudgels on issues of concern such as hill farming, tourism and forestry.”

The CLA, which has 30,000 members across England and Wales, is also encouraging its members to raise the priorities with their own candidates during the election campaign.

“Hill farming is a vital part of our rural economy and of all the types of agricultural production in the area, it needs the most support,” Mr Martell added. “There are long established communities dependent on this type of farming, and it is inconceivable that anyone would want them uprooted and impoverished.

“In addition, without adequate support to manage these landscapes, they will become vulnerable to becoming barren, lifeless and unkempt, with walls and buildings collapsing and with no animals except vermin and birds of prey.”

Mr Martell said tourism was also important for rural businesses with the attractions such as Kynren, in Bishop Auckland, and Alnwick Garden, in Northumberland, needing to be tapped into by rural communities.

He also stressed forestry, saying the “long-term and essential commodity” of timber needs government support as the UK currently imports 80 per cent of it.

He added: “Throughout the campaign we will be speaking up for farmers, landowners and rural businesses.

“I would also ask everyone who wants to see a living, working countryside challenge candidates to demonstrate how they intend to make a real commitment to farming and the countryside if elected.”

For more information about the CLA, visit cla.org.uk or follow them on Twitter @CLANorth