Farming matters

Last week I held a very productive meeting with farmers in the Crediton area.

Few dispute the importance of farming. Farmers provide vital local employment directly on the farm, within the food processing and distribution sectors and also serve as the stewards of our countryside supporting Devon's £1-billion tourist industry. Nationally, farming is central to food security.

So the case for supporting farmers is compelling — yet the challenges they face are acute.

Issues raised with me in Crediton included the ongoing scourge of Bovine TB (costing £100-million a year and misery for farmers).

The Government has stuck with the difficult yet correct approach of tackling the disease in the badger population, something I have argued strongly for within parliament. Schmalengberg is also a concern. This virus transmitted by midges to sheep results in milk yield loss and birth defects amongst their offspring. Whilst not a notifiable disease it is now widespread and causing significant problems.

The advice to Government is that sheep develop a natural immunity to the virus but I will be keeping a particularly close eye on this issue in Westminster.

Other issues raised included CAP reform where I am in complete agreement that we do not want to see too radical a shift towards 'greening' (ie, towards payments supporting environmental measures as opposed to production).

Also raised was the vital issue of encouraging young people into farming through apprenticeships. I have long pressed hard on apprenticeships and have met with Bicton College to see how these schemes can be better promoted locally.

There are many other challenges facng agriculture and I will continue to fight hard for farmers in Westminster. My next farmer meetings are around Okehampton and Bovey Tracey. If you would like to attend please do get in touch [email protected]">[email protected]