Rural Charter
Our Rural Charter, published during the 2024 election campaign, provides input on what we believe the new government should be prioritising: tackling rural crime; championing farmers and producers; recognising the role of wildlife management and the value of trail hunting, shooting and fishing; and delivering a connected countryside. We we will be working hard to ensure the government works with and for the countryside, delivering your priorities.
Highlights of the Rural Charter
The countryside can, and will, play its part in making the UK a prosperous country, but policymakers must demonstrate they understand and respect the rural way of life and commit to tackling the issues facing our communities with genuine focus and commitment.

Tackle the blight of rural crime
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• An overhaul of the way police prioritise rural crime to reflect the growing serious and organised element of rural criminality and its impact on rural communities.
• The police to implement strategies that foster collaboration and rebuild trust between police and rural communities, including by encouraging reporting.
• The police to respond to every report that is made, in order to address the growing feeling that police cannot or will not do anything about rural crime.
• Greater support of dedicated rural crime teams through fair funding for rural police forces.

Champion British farmers and producers
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• 50% of food procured by public bodies must be British.
• Public bodies to be banned from removing meat and dairy produce from menus and greater consumption of sustainable game meat, including venison, across the public sector.
• A commitment to use all public platforms to promote the importance of shopping locally and supporting British farmers and producers.
• Proposals for a meat tax to be rejected.

Recognise the role of wildlife management and the value of trail hunting, shooting and fishing
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• No unjustified restrictions on wildlife management, trail hunting or other rural activities.
• Wildlife laws based on sound evidence and a consistent and principled approach across species.
• Improved water quality and a national fisheries policy which supports recreational fishing.
• Promoting the ability for more people to visit the countryside through managed and responsible access.

Deliver a connected countryside
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• Fully funded proposals to improve broadband for very hard to reach premises and ensure the Universal Service Obligation delivers connectivity to rural communities.
• Preparation of rural communities for transport electrification ensuring access to an adequate charging infrastructure and a robust electricity grid.
• A reliable public transport network to serve and connect rural communities.
• Homes and industrial buildings to deliver solar and other renewable energy generation before using productive farmland.
Highlights of the Rural Charter
The countryside can, and will, play its part in making the UK a prosperous country, but policymakers must demonstrate they understand and respect the rural way of life and commit to tackling the issues facing our communities with genuine focus and commitment.
Tackle the blight of rural crime

Tackle the blight of rural crime
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• An overhaul of the way police prioritise rural crime to reflect the growing serious and organised element of rural criminality and its impact on rural communities.
• The police to implement strategies that foster collaboration and rebuild trust between police and rural communities, including by encouraging reporting.
• The police to respond to every report that is made, in order to address the growing feeling that police cannot or will not do anything about rural crime.
• Greater support of dedicated rural crime teams through fair funding for rural police forces.
Champion British farmers and producers

Champion British farmers and producers
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• 50% of food procured by public bodies must be British.
• Public bodies to be banned from removing meat and dairy produce from menus and greater consumption of sustainable game meat, including venison, across the public sector.
• A commitment to use all public platforms to promote the importance of shopping locally and supporting British farmers and producers.
• Proposals for a meat tax to be rejected.
Recognise the role of wildlife management and the value of trail hunting, shooting and fishing

Recognise the role of wildlife management and the value of trail hunting, shooting and fishing
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• No unjustified restrictions on wildlife management, trail hunting or other rural activities.
• Wildlife laws based on sound evidence and a consistent and principled approach across species.
• Improved water quality and a national fisheries policy which supports recreational fishing.
• Promoting the ability for more people to visit the countryside through managed and responsible access.
Deliver a connected countryside

Deliver a connected countryside
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CALLS FOR:
• Fully funded proposals to improve broadband for very hard to reach premises and ensure the Universal Service Obligation delivers connectivity to rural communities.
• Preparation of rural communities for transport electrification ensuring access to an adequate charging infrastructure and a robust electricity grid.
• A reliable public transport network to serve and connect rural communities.
• Homes and industrial buildings to deliver solar and other renewable energy generation before using productive farmland.

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Playing NowPoliticsTim BonnerChief Executive05 July 2024
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Playing NowPoliticsGary McCartneyDirector for Northern Ireland02 July 2024
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Playing NowPoliticsJake SwindellsDirector for Scotland27 June 2024
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Playing NowPoliticsRachel EvansDirector for Wales18 June 2024
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Playing NowPoliticsRoger SeddonShooting Campaign Manager17 June 2024
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Playing NowPoliticsPolly PortwinDirector of the Campaign for Hunting14 June 2024
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Playing Now
Party manifesto videos
The Rural Charter
KEY RESOURCES
The general election this year is critical. It has been reported that ‘strengthening’ the Hunting Act, banning grouse shooting, restricting game farming, increasing the regulation of gun ownership, and creating a ‘right to roam’ will all be on the political agenda. Please donate and help us defend our way of life.