The Conservatives have published A New Age of Agriculture - Our Agenda for British Farming (click here to download a copy in PDF format), a set of policies aimed at fostering a more productive, sustainable and competitive farming industry.

Nick Herbert, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, launched the document in a speech to the annual conference of the National Farmers' Union, and set out two major new proposals:

• The introduction of rules into the new national planning framework to prevent the development of the most fertile farmland, in all but exceptional circumstances
• Fundamental reform of the Rural Payments Agency, appointing the Minister for Farming as Chairman of its Management Board, to improve accountability, reduce costs and drive up performance
• This new policy paper has five key aims: to enable increased production whilst protecting the environment, to promote fair competition, to reduce the burden of regulation, to further reform the Common Agricultural Policy, and to take action on animal disease.

And it sets out key Conservative pledges to:

• Commission within the first three months of taking office an industry-led review of all existing regulations with a view to reducing burdens without compromising standards
• Introduce legislation on country of origin labelling if a comprehensive voluntary agreement cannot be reached
• Ensure that all food served in Government departments meets British standards of production, wherever this can be delivered without increasing overall costs

Herbert accuses Labour of having "persistently under-valued British agriculture" and said that, in this new age of agriculture, "we need to strengthen the protection of our most fertile farmland and recognise its importance as a national resource for future generations."

Jim Paice, the Shadow Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister, says that British farmers safeguard our food security, maintain the countryside and provide the raw materials for the UK's largest manufacturing sector, and he adds: "It is about time this was reflected by a government which understands the realities of farming and creates the conditions in which the industry can thrive."

The Tories’ report gets the backing of The Wildlife Trusts. It points to the Wild Penwith Living Landscape scheme as one example which illustrates the value of The Wildlife Trusts’ work with farmers to both the natural landscape and the farming industry. Cornwall Wildlife Trust is working with local farmers to advise on how they can adapt their practices to improve the water quality on the wetlands surrounding their land. Meanwhile, in the west midlands, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is hosting Farming Floodplains for the Future, a major national pilot project funded by Defra. The key aim of this project is to develop an understanding of how the farmed landscape can be viably managed in ways that reduce flood risk downstream, while also enhancing the natural environment. 

“In order to make A Living Landscape a reality, we need to be working on a large landscape scale, with farmers and landowners,” says Paul Wilkinson, head of 'a living landscape' for The Wildlife Trusts. “Farmers are experienced land managers and traditional stewards of our countryside, so our work with them is a vital element to the achievement of our vision.

“Farmland plays a crucial role in keeping our soils, water, and wildlife healthy, and it’s a two-way relationship - if none of these things are healthy, we simply cannot grow food. So wildlife-friendly farming is of benefit to farmers and the general public too.

“The Wildlife Trusts are delighted this relationship has today been recognised. We will continue to work with farmers to try and restore our battered ecosystems, for the benefit of wildlife and people.” 

The CLA also welcomes the launch of the Conservative Party agenda for British farming. CLA President William Worsley says: "This manifesto recognises what the CLA has been saying all along, that British farmers must be able to compete on a level playing field internationally, whilst being supported in providing the quality of environment which society demands.

"We are also pleased the Conservatives have committed to cutting the overall burden of regulation placed on British farmers to make them as competitive as possible. 

"We are encouraged by the strong commitment to renewable energy production which could become an important source of income for farmers. We particularly welcome the pledge to prioritise research and development which will be crucial for the future of sustainable farming."