This document sets out the radical proposals of the Wildlife and Countryside Link coalition of leading environmental groups (including CPRE) to transform the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The report proposes replacing the CAP with a single European Sustainable Land Management Policy - existing farm support payments would be phased out and replaced with support for positive land management to help underpin profitable farm businesses and prosperous rural communities.

Farming is of national strategic importance, in terms of primary production of food, energy and commodities, through its crucial role in managing water and soil resources and in shaping and managing landscape and habitat. The rich character of the English countryside is largely derived from farming and the future of agriculture will play a major role in determining its future. The farming community retains professional knowledge and a skill base which will be vital to the future of productive land management in the future.

CPRE, as part of the Joint Links coalition of UK conservation bodies, believes that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be radically reformed to bring about a revolution in the protection and enrichment of Europe’s landscapes and habitats. This report outlines the measures that need to be developed to help make farming more sustainable, humane and wildlife-friendly. By 2020 the CAP must be doing much more to restore and enhance our natural and historic landscapes, and making a bigger contribution towards meeting targets and commitments on biodiversity, climate change and natural resource protection.

A report for CPRE by Caroline Cranbrook on local food networks in East Suffolk, which demonstrates the importance of local shops and services to rural communities. It reveals the complex web of interconnection between local producers and farmers and local shops.

What does it cost to maintain England's beautiful, diverse farmed landscapes, and who does the work? A survey in May 2005 by the National Farmers' Union and CPRE has come up with a first estimate for the cost of the landscape management work undertaken by England's farmers. Our research findings are revealed in this new joint report, which makes a strong case for continued public support for farming in return for the work needed to maintain a beautiful countryside for the benefit of us all.

A campaigners guide to promoting local foods including influencing key players such as local retailers, supermarkets and restaurants; the processes involved; sources of information and how to tailor a local action plan. This guide is best used in conjunction with Sustainable Local Foods.

Our campaign briefing shows how to use CPRE’s Food Webs survey as an effective campaigning tool, to map the links map the links in local food production, from producer to processor to retailer to community. The results can be used, for example, to oppose inappropriate development by showing its likely impact on the community and local economy.

Our report shows how local foods – grown, processed and consumed in the same district – can flourish, provided the growth of supermarket chains is restrained by sound planning policies. These 'local food webs' bring a range of social, environmental and economic benefits and help to conserve some of our most beautiful countryside.