From the MSA website:
"MSA tackles DEFRA threat to UK motor sport
The Motor Sports Association has vowed to fight all the way to Brussels to
safeguard the future of nearly 50 percent of its sanctioned motor sport
events after the government decided to stop subsidies to farmers who allow
part of their land to be used, even temporarily, for any form of motor
sport. The MSA now needs information urgently from clubs who will be
affected. Questionnaire attached.
The MSA has joined forces with the governing body of motor cycle racing
(ACU) and other affected parties to challenge the Government`s decision,
channelling its efforts through the Land Access & Recreation Association
(LARA) of which the MSA is a founding member and major funder.
The Single Payment Scheme (SPS) replaces the Common Agricultural Policy and
now pays farmers for the land they own, not what they produce. The European
Directive on agricultural subsidies does not prohibit motor sports on land
eligible for SPS. However, the Department for the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has taken the decision, without consultation, to stop
these payments to UK landowners if agricultural land is used, even
temporarily, for motor sport.
Activities that will be particularly impacted are autograss, autocross,
sporting trials, production car trials, 4x4 events and some rallies.
"We believe the current guidance from DEFRA to landowners is incorrect, is
inconsistent with EU policy and fundamentally threatens the future of motor
sport in this country. The MSA is a founding member and substantial funder
of LARA and it is entirely appropriate that the concerted response of all
interested parties to this threat is channelled through LARA. We hope to
have a successful conclusion to our urgent dialogue with DEFRA, but should
the need arise we are prepared to pursue this issue further," said Colin
Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association."
"Steve" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> "Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Anyone use their LandRover (or any other vehicle) for trials etc on
> farmers
>> land? You may be interested in signing this :
>> http://www.petitiononline.com/som/
>>
>> Richard
>
> It's a pity that the site doesn't show the DEFRA legislation as it stands
> so
> that potential petitioners can make an informed decision on the petition
> and
> not simply sign a "blank sheet". Is this DEFRA discouragement simply
> there
> to enable the urban ramblers to have quiet countryside to wander around
> in,
> or is this not discouragement at all but tied in with the rules for
> qualifying for farm payments/set-aside which are actually dictated from
> somewhere other than Whitehall? The whole countryside thing is a complete
> mess, not least because the current administration (unfortunately
> re-elected
> last week by only getting the approval vote of one in six of the
> electorate)
> is an urban administration and makes a pigs ear (a rural term) of anything
> that they touch in the countryside.
>
> Good one - I almost ranted.
> Steve
>
>
