Local farmers talked to Durham County Council during a farm visit to discuss food production challenges, the proposed changes to government policies, how these will affect family farms and what support the authority can offer.
The meeting, attended by NFU members and 20 councillors, was held at Ox Close Farm at Shadworth, Durham, as part of the NFU鈥檚 ongoing lobbying work with all political parties.
Understanding the challenges
Durham County Council unanimously voted in support of county farmers and the NFU鈥檚 Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign at a council meeting held in March. The motion saw all 95 councillors from all political parties stand up for local farmers and raise concerns over the future of the industry.
NFU North Riding and Durham County Chair Clare Wise said: 鈥淚t was good to have councillors out on farm so they could chat to our members and understand the challenges we are facing.
Clare said it was "pleasing to hear" about their support to encourage people to buy local, support planning policies and rural growth by working together.
鈥淭his was a very productive meeting, with a good turnout of NFU members who took the opportunity to discuss their concerns.鈥�
NFU North Riding and Durham County Adviser Laurie Norris
Clare continued: 鈥淭his will support family farms, and all businesses connected to agriculture and food production.
鈥淭he proposed changes to inheritance tax were also discussed as these will have a devastating impact on so many family farms in Durham.鈥�
Other issues discussed at the meeting included proposed concerns over the future of SFI, impacts of the weather and trade deals.
Keeping farming on the agenda
NFU North Riding and Durham County Adviser Laurie Norris said: 鈥淭his was a very productive meeting, with a good turnout of NFU members who took the opportunity to discuss their concerns.聽
鈥淚 was pleased that we were able to discuss a food and farming plan for the county as farming and food production is vitally important to our local economy, jobs, communities and the countryside which we all enjoyed.
鈥溁始一藈orks with politicians from all parties in order to keep farming firmly on the political agenda, locally and nationally, and strives to deliver a positive future for British farmers and growers including those in and around North Riding and Durham.鈥�
