Farming issues were top of the agenda for Mel Stride MP when he spent most of Friday supporting the Devon County Show. In the morning Mel met with NFU representatives who briefed him on the re-launch of their free Student and Young Farmer membership which gives members access to NFU meetings and industry debates. Then Mel met with Mole Valley Farmers, who have a store in his Central Devon constituency in Heathfield.
In the afternoon Mel spent time with Devon Young Farmers – one of the largest rural youth organisations in the UK. The Devon Federation of Young Farmers Clubs opened its new centre in Mr Stride’s constituency in Cheriton Bishop in 2017. He also met with Dartmoor National Park (DNP) Rangers.
Speaking at the end of the day Mel said:
“There are many challenges facing the farming industry in Devon and the country as a whole, including the impact of Brexit, access to both high-skilled and low-skilled seasonal labour and the need to bring young blood into the industry through agricultural apprenticeships and training. Hearing the NFU has re-launched its free Student and Young Farmer membership is an excellent move. I was also delighted to spend some time with Devon Young Farmers this afternoon and was very encouraged by their enthusiasm and knowledge of the industry already, and was pleased to hear that their new hub in Cheriton Bishop is proving very popular. As ever, organisers should be proud that they have put on another outstanding county show.”
