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With the General Election fast approaching, Countyfile Magazine has published the results of an investigation into the rural policies of each of the major political parties. Rural issues haven't featured strongly in the early campaign posturing so Countryfile Magazine has challenged the leading parties to explain what they will do for the countryside if they are elected, with a focus on the policies that affect us all, including the loss of key village services and food production.

Fergus Collins, Editor of Countryfile Magazine, commented: "For anyone worried that countryside concerns will be lost in the campaign soundbites, our investigation reveals how the parties differ on the crucial issues."

Countryfile Magazine asked politicians from each of the five main political parties 10 crucial questions on the future of the countryside*. Their responses to three of the most contentious of these issues are below:

1. Would you repeal or strengthen the Hunting Act in the next parliamentary term?

• CONSERVATIVE: We'll give parliament the opportunity to repeal it on a free vote, with a government bill in government time. The Hunting Act is unworkable and has done nothing for animal welfare.
• LABOUR: We will both continue to back the ban and make sure it can be enforced.
• LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: Personally, I favour a repeal of the act and a replacement with more balanced and comprehensive animal welfare legislation.
• PLAID CYMRU: Plaid Cymru MPs have a free vote on issues relating to fox hunting.
• SNP: Any vote to repeal the ban in Westminster would apply only to England, so SNP MPs wouldn't vote.

2. Can the countryside be protected for wildlife and yet still be productive?

• CONSERVATIVE: Absolutely. We want an increase in agricultural production, but on a sustainable basis. We need to live within our environmental means.
• LABOUR: It can and it is. Over six million hectares are in our agri-environmental schemes – that's 70 percent of farmland safeguarded for the future.
• LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: Encouraging more farmers into environmental stewardship schemes will ensure productive farmland without deferring to the stick of compulsory set-aside.
• PLAID CYMRU: Our challenge is to increase food production in a way that places less strain on the environment. Glastir in Wales will support farmers to do just this.
• SNP: The two are perfectly compatible. Food security is incredibly important to the SNP, as is protecting our wildlife and natural heritage.
  

3. What will you do to keep more village pubs open?

• CONSERVATIVE: Nearly six pubs close every day so we launched the Save the Great British Pub campaign. Our alcohol tax plans will hit binge drinkers and help pubs.
• LABOUR: We need to do everything we can to back them. Locals should use pubs and the prime minister has commissioned a report to see what the government can do.
• LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: We should extend the local 50 percent rate relief scheme for village shops to sole village pubs and prevent pub companies demanding unfair rental and ties.
• PLAID CYMRU: The village pub is a hub. We would introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol to level the playing field between supermarkets and pubs.
• SNP: Minimum pricing of alcohol will help protect local pubs and our Small Business Bonus Scheme means Scottish businesses have the UK's best business relief scheme.
  

Countryfile Magazine also asked the smaller national parties and the two biggest parties in Northern Ireland for their views on rural issues (parties in alphabetical order).

The British National Party (BNP) says: We will promote self sufficiency in agriculture and encourage labour-intensive organic farming, increasing employment in the countryside. We favour small-scale rural industry and would re-instate village post offices and services including shops, pubs and public transport. We oppose building on greenfield sites.

The Green Party says: Most people want the same thing – a fair standard of living, a safe environment, decent work for decent pay, access to nature, and a future for their children. The recession is still putting thousands of people out of work, and we have a plan that fights the economic and environmental crises together.

UK Independence Party (UKIP) says: Comprehensive immigration policy can reduce the demand on rural housing, travellers' sites, schools and services. We will not blight the countryside with any more subsidised wind turbines. Farmers will be released from counterproductive and unnecessary EU regulation and police will put rural crime ahead of political correctness.

NORTHERN ISLAND

Democratic Unionist Party says: We offer a strong voice for rural dwellers supporting a vibrant, sustainable countryside. We believe that agriculture as the primary rural industry must be defended but that a broadly based rural economy is necessary to maintain the necessary services for people living there.

Sinn Fein says: We want to keep to maximum number of people working on the land and preserve rural society. The party will introduce a white paper ensuring proper access to education, housing and health.

Vote for the countryside by Tom Heap features in the April issue of Countryfile Magazine, on sale now, Β£3.60.

NOTES TO EDITORS
* Countryfile Magazine spoke to politicians from the five main political parties (parties in alphabetical order) - Conservative: Nick Herbert MP; Labour: Hilary Benn MP; Liberal Democrat: Tim Farron MP; Plaid Cymru: Elfyn Llwyd MP and the Scottish National Party: Angus MacNeil MP, as well as representatives from the British National Party, Democratic Unionist Party, Green Party, Sinn Fein and UK Independence Party.

Countryfile Magazine asked each of the parties the following 10 questions:

1. What measures would you introduce to provide more affordable housing in rural Britain?
2. Will your party maintain the current level of greenbelt protection?
3. What would you do to guarantee the survival of the remaining rural post offices?
4. Should we be culling badgers to prevent the spread of TB in cattle and wildlife?
5. Should people in the countryside be encouraged to use cars less and public transport more? If so, how?
6. Would you repeal or strengthen the Hunting Act in the next parliamentary term?
7. Do you favour more wind turbines and other renewable energy power plants in the countryside?
8. Can the countryside be protected for wildlife and yet still be productive?
9. What will you do to keep more village pubs open?
10. Should we grow more food in Britain and what role would you like to see GM crops play in this?
    

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Countryfile Magazine has a monthly circulation of 27,833 (ABC Jul-Dec 2009) is published by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines Bristol, a trading name of Bristol Magazines Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Ltd., the main commercial consumer arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

Carolyn Wray