Penrith and The Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson, brought Cumbrian farmers and stakeholders around the table with government officials to discuss the most pressing industry issues.
The event, which took place on Friday 2nd December, saw scores of rural stakeholders meet at a packed Penrith Rugby Club to discuss a range of issues including the post-Brexit farm payment transition, the increasing production costs across the sector and how to best make sure farming and nature can work hand in hand. The lively discussion saw farmers from across Cumbria question officials about farm payments in particular and it was agreed that communication is vital to keep stakeholders abreast of updates.
Dr Hudson was joined on stage by other farming policy experts such as Sandy Kapila, Customer Director, RPA; Rozanne Kid, Agricultural Transition Director, RPA; Lee Martin-Whit, Operational Change Lead, RPA; Louise Maguire, Tests and Trials Lead, Environmental Land Management Team, DEFRA. The Cumbrian MP understands that these events are pivotal to making sure DEFRA and the RPA can properly and accurately support farmers during this great period of change for the industry.
With some 30 people left on the waiting list, Dr Hudson has agreed to host another event with the RPA and DEFRA in the New Year to make sure communication channels remain open and farmers can raise concerns with officials in person. The Cumbrian MP has previously hosted two Virtual Farming Roadshows with the RPA and DEFRA which were well received from the agricultural community locally.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“Farmers are the background of rural communities – boosting GDP and providing jobs, caring for our precious environment and feeding the nation – so it is crucial we make sure they are fully informed about national policy and given a platform to raise any concerns they may have.
“We had some important discussions about the issues affecting local people involved in farming and the wider agri-food industry. These conversations are vital in making sure national policy works for everyone and I plan to feed back the thoughts, ideas and experiences raised when I quiz the Secretary of State for DEFRA as part of an EFRA Committee evidence session this week.
“Thank you once again to everyone who attended, and I look forward to meeting many of the rural stakeholders to continue the debate and working with Sandy and his team at the RPA moving forward.”