SETTING THE AGENDA
CLA Deputy President Victoria Vyvyan
T
he neologism ‘staycation’ suggests that there is a vacation (a ‘proper’ holiday) and then there is a staycation, where you stay in the UK making the best of things – possibly in the rain. I think that is a serious undersell, but it is worth noting. In 2021, CLA members that were engaged in tourism businesses couldn’t start trading until April due to Covid-19 restrictions, but happily, from that point, it has been a busy year. We haven’t had to fight to fill the periods between seasons, and we are looking forward to 2022, which may well play out as a continuing holiday boom. However, this is not a time for
complacency. Stories about infl ated prices, tra c jams, terrible weather and gridlocked beaches filled newspaper column inches. Our regional teams and external affairs department worked hard to rebut these stories when they were wrong, or grossly exaggerated, and to promote ote a positive image for the industry. ry. But what can an we do to compete more e effectively with holidays abroad and help us hold onto our new customers? The he CLA is campaigning ng for a permanent reduction eduction in VAT, which would
deliver a level playing field with our European competitors and those at home that are below the VAT threshold. However, while the spectre of infl ation stalks us, we also need to look to our businesses to ensure they are costeffective in all areas. I think now is the time to look carefully at the potential for technological solutions and areas that will investment in a long-term savings. provide long-t So, remembering remem dream, let’s Pharoah’s dr make plans to carry us through tthe lean years while we w have full order ord books.
Representing the CLA CLA Vice President Gavin Lane
I
n August 1989, the Pearce Report was published by the London Environmental Economics Centre. As well as espousing the principles of ‘the polluter pays’ and the introduction of a carbon tax, it raised the idea of sustainable development in relation to the environment. More than 30 years later, and following the COP26 conference on climate change, how far have our rural businesses and population moved towards a more sustainable future?
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CLA ANNUAL 2022
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Over those 30 years, my own family business, like many, has been preoccupied with economic sustainability. The ability to maintain profit in our core farming enterprise has proved hard. While I continue to strive to make our farming business able to cope with price, yield and weather volatility, I also understand the need to place more emphasis on its environmental and social sustainability. We have embraced regenerative farming techniques,
focused on energy and resource e ciency, and looked at all options in cutting down waste. As our business has diversified into holiday and residential lets, we have looked at options for decarbonising our heating systems through renewables and better use of insulation. Like many CLA members, we still have a long way to go. It has been a steep learning curve with a few expensive mistakes. However, changing my mindset to look at how sustainable and resilient my business is in economic, environmental and social terms has been the single most important change to my work. Personally, I see no other option for my and other rural businesses. cla.org.uk
09/11/2021 10:06
