South Lakes MP Tim Farron has been re-elected chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming at the group’s annual general meeting.
The group, which is supported by the National Farmers’ Union, also formally agreed a six point plan to present to Government to support hill farmers.
The plan includes calls for the new farm payment scheme – the Environmental Land Management Scheme – to include funding for farmers to maintain “cultural and distinctive landscapes” such as the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.
M rFarron said: “I’m really proud to have been re-elected chair.
“The Government’s radical new changes to farm payments means that this is a deeply uncertain time for hill farmers.
“But it’s not just the livelihoods of our local farmers which is at stake – the beautiful landscape of the Lake District as we know could change dramatically over the space of just a few years too.
“That’s why a key part of our six point plan is for the new scheme to include funding for farmers to continue to protect the landscape.
“I’m determined to continue working hard alongside colleagues from every political party and with the NFU to fight the corner of our farmers.”
