THE Country Landowners’ Association says that a new report, The Best Use of UK Agricultural Land, by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, raises important questions over the future of UK land use.

The association, whose members own or manage more than half the rural land in England and Wales, believes the report demonstrates that the industry has taken the lead and started the debate in the absence of any Government vision on land use.

The report identifies five objectives:

• to improve UK food security;

• to increase UK energy security;

• to better protect nature;

• to improve competitiveness;

• to enhance recreation spaces.

A spokesman for the CLA said: “The findings in this report need to act as a catalyst for change, but businesses need better direction from the Government to identify priorities for UK agricultural land, while farmers and land managers need clarity over what they are expected to deliver.”