Alistair Cochrane is the new Chairman of the North East Region of the CLA, one of the most influential rural posts in the private sector.
A Chartered Surveyor and Fellow of the Association of Agricultural Valuers, Mr Cochrane is Partner in Charge of the Morpeth office of Strutt and Parker. He also oversees the Land Management Department for the firm in the North East.
Speaking about his new role, Mr Cochrane said: "I am honoured to have been elected the new CLA Chairman of the North East, and look forward with relish to being able to contribute further to the important work of the CLA.
I am passionate about doing all I can to contribute to the vitality of the rural community and economy. I am particularly concerned by the threat to both of these within the remoter upland areas and feel that the threats to "active farming" and large scale livestock production in these areas could have very dire consequences indeed for those communities and the environment.
Having been a member of the CLA for a number of years, I have been hugely impressed by the amount and quality of work carried out by so many members who give freely of their own time. I also appreciate what excellent, professional staff we have. Many are nationally recognised as experts in their field and have real clout in lobbying MPs, Select Committees and the ever proliferating quangos.
The challenges to landowners and farmers, and the rural economy generally, are daunting. Pressure from National and European government for tighter regulation - which often has dubious justification and limited benefits - adds costs and stifles enterprise. Animal disease, volatility in agricultural markets, forthcoming environmental stewardship schemes and increasing flooding are just some of the issues we have to face.
In all this, one of our main aims must be to get across to those who govern us that the occupiers of land are the only people who can deliver a secure food supply and many of the environmental goals that are sought. Moreover, they have been doing their best to deliver these for centuries and proper realisation of this fact, respect for the sector and engagement with it by the power brokers will reap dividends.
Mr Cochrane lives near Wooler with his wife Susie and their two sons. He is a keen fisherman, cricket and tennis player.
