Statement from the CLA on the cuts to Defra-related public bodies

CLA President William Worsley said: The CLA accepts cuts have to be made. The number of quangos had become unwieldy and their functions confused. However, it is of course a very difficult time for those people who will lose their jobs.

Having said that, I am very pleased Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission will remain, retaining their core functions but more streamlined. We always find working directly with well-informed experts close to delivery extremely beneficial and hope they will be even more focussed when it comes to working with farmers and land managers.

Mr Worsley added: I am also pleased that certain advisory groups are being reconstituted as committees of experts. Expertise on issues such as pesticides will still be provided but without unnecessary formalities.

I am delighted that the accountability and governance of the National Parks and Broads Authority is to be reviewed as this is long overdue.

• The full list of abolitions and cuts to Defra-related public bodies can be found here: http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/10/14/public-bodies/
• The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has around 35,000 members.
• As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and their businesses. Our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and a regional structure able to give local support.
• We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership, land management and rural business activities for the past 100 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.