AN ORGANISATION is celebrating its 113th anniversary, by continuing to champion agricultural topics.

The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) is celebrating 113 years since the Yorkshire Land and Property Defence Association, the forerunner of the CLA, held its first meeting in 1907.

Dorothy Fairburn, CLA north director, said: “Despite all the changes over this period, the CLA has remained steadfast in amplifying the voice of rural landowners and farmers and will continue to do so in future.”

The organisation debates topical agricultural issues, while representing more than 30,000 members.

CLA president Mark Bridgeman, who farms in Northumberland, said: “As Lord Harewood, who chaired the first meeting of the CLA said, ‘there was never a time during his lifetime, and he was born in the famous Corn Law year, when agriculture in this country so greatly required united organisation to put pressure on Parliament. The CLA is as relevant today as it was then, especially with regard to Brexit and its implications for landowners and farmers.”