FARMERS must be given more incentive to stay on the land and safeguard the future of the countryside, a leading campaign group has urged.
The calls came from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), after talks with farmers who were depressed about the returns made in agriculture in the present climate.
Dorothy Fairburn, CLA regional director in Yorkshire, said: "While we want to see a rural policy that delivers environmental benefits, it is important that profitability is restored to farming.
"We are now in the middle of the tourist season and visitors will see an attractive rural scene, thanks to our farmers. But we must not put this at risk.
"Care of the countryside has to continue, but it needs to be remembered that this costs money."
Updated: 09:28 Thursday, April 18, 2002
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