Mel Stride MP secured a visit by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove to the 117th Chagford Show this week to discuss a range of farming issues, including the future of the industry post-Brexit.
Mel, who was at the event with his family, said:
“These are uncertain times and we need to press hard to ensure that, amongst the many priorities, we have a strong result for farming. Locally, agriculture is the life-blood of our rural communities - without farming we would not have the jobs on the land, work in the processing businesses, distribution businesses and we wouldn’t benefit from the vital work that farmers do as the stewards of the land to support Devon’s £1 billion tourist industry.”
During the show Mel took Mr Gove to The Young Farmers stall where they discussed apprenticeship standards, access to finance and the need to attract younger blood into the industry. They also visited the AirBand stall where Mel highlighted the major benefits faster broadband can bring to agriculture.
The issue of farming support post-Brexit was also discussed with farmers of all ages, with the Government pledging to continue the support currently provided through the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy until at least 2022. Mr Stride continued:
“The opportunity longer term is to better organise further support to ensure a better balance between the needs of the environment and the practicalities of sustainable farming and that the right support is provided to different types of farmers. One of my main concerns is that our Dartmoor hill farmers are fully supported – something that I pressed upon the Secretary of State. Farming is often a very tough business but seldom more so than for our hill farmers – who in turn keep Dartmoor alive, grazed and beautiful.”
