EFRA committee chair calls for close engagement with BASC and rural communities

The Rt. Hon. Alistair Carmichael MP spoke of the need for building consensus with rural communities at BASC’s rural reception at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton this week.

Mr Carmichael, the newly appointed chair of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee, told guests at the packed event that his party would be a significant rural voice in Westminster following the general election.

“The Liberals are back as a political force in Britain’s rural communities and there is no time to waste to unpick some of the damage done previously.

“I am excited to take on the EFRA Select Committee role in the House of Commons. We now need people of good intentions within rural communities to get behind our work.

“We need to go on a journey together and I hope it should not be too difficult to build a consensus.

“As a party, we build our success on rural Britain and we know one size does not fit all. Parliament needs to be responsive to rural communities.”

Mr Carmichael also thanked BASC for the association’s support at conference over many years.

“BASC has been loyal to the Liberals through the lean years and I am pleased to see the association continuing to support us now.

“Personally, I know the Select Committee needs to have the best possible engagement with organisations such as BASC in the year ahead.”

New Liberal Democrat MP Brian Mathew also spoke at the reception, which was hosted jointly with the Angling Trust.

“I am aware of the benefits of shooting to rural Britain,” he said. “We all rejoice in nature and we have to do our best to make sure our countryside is protected.”