The Pembrokeshire Show is a highlight of the rural calendar and Country Land and Business Association (CLA) representatives will make the most of opportunities to meet members during the three days. South Wales regional director, Jonathan Andrews, is a well-known figure at the show, as is Dyfed chairman, Peter Campbell. Top of the agenda is likely to be the CAP mid-term review and in particular the cross-compliance element. Wales is anxiously awaiting the outcome of National Assembly countryside minister Carwyn Jones's deliberations. He's due to make an announcement at the end of this month.

The CLA has urged the minister to resist gold-plating cross-compliance regulations. There's concern that, although not specifically mentioned in the Welsh consultation, two-metre uncultivated strips and maintenance of rights of way might be included as measures.

"They are not in at the moment, but there are a number of environmental bodies pressing for it to happen," said Jonathan Andrews. "The two-metre strips would be particularly difficult to cope with in Wales, where we tend to have smaller fields".

Mr Andrews will be taking the opportunity to stress to landowners and land managers that they should take the opportunity to reorganise their businesses post mid-term review.

It is vital that farmers produce for the market and don't rely on their Single Farm Payment, he said.

The decision to opt for the historic element of the Single Farm Payment means farmers have time to adapt to the demands of global market forces. They and other rural business people should be given every encouragement to create wealth and provide employment.

Landowners and farmers need to re-direct their businesses to cope with conditions beyond historic entitlement. Their future profit depends on a minimum of regulation and control from the National Assembly. Such businesses needed reassurance and stimulation, not decree and supervision.

Planning and taxation are also issues affecting viability in the countryside and CLA representatives will be happy to hear views on these and a range of other topics.