Defra Uplands Policy Review – Good news for farmers & landowners in less favoured areas, say Saffery Champness

Richard Cartwright, a partner of Saffery Champness Landed Estates & Rural Business Group in Bristol, who has clients in the Dartmoor and Exmoor areas, says: The publication today of Defras  Uplands Policy Review is welcome news for landowners and farmers in the less favoured areas of the UK.

It is also encouraging that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has been supportive of various reports published the Country Land & Business Association, the Commission for Rural Communities and other stakeholders.

Alison Robinson a partner of Saffery Champness in Harrogate who advises client in North Yorkshire, says: The call made to the Government to provide more commitment to upland communities seems to have been heard.

Specific measures, such as a dedicated Community Broadband Fund for the uplands, are most welcome and the next step must be to address the call for a national strategy for the uplands to maximise the unique and diverse assets they provide.

For further information, please contact:

Richard Cartwright, Saffery Champness, Bristol: 0117 915 1617  richard.cartwright@saffery.com

Alison Robinson (Saffery Champness, Harrogate): 01423 568012 alison.robinson@saffery.com

John Vaughan, John Vaughan & Co. Public Relations: 07596 106937  jvaughan@johnvaughan.co.uk

Saffery Champness has 58 UK partners and more than 400 staff, with nine offices in the UK (including Scottish offices in Edinburgh and Inverness) and one each in Guernsey and Geneva. The firm celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2005, after the firm was founded in 1855 by Joseph John Saffery. For further information about the Company, please visit www.saffery.com

Saffery Champness has worldwide associations in over 100 countries through its membership of the global association Nexia international

The Landed Estates Group is headed by a team of 15 partners who advise landowners, agricultural and rural businesses on financial and tax matters, particularly capital taxes and VAT.