A Cumbrian MP hosted a virtual Farming Road Show with about 70 farmers and rural stakeholders in attendance.
This unique event – hosted by Penrith MP Neil Hudson on Friday – gave farmers, landowners, and other rural stakeholders in Penrith and The Border an update on the delivery of current schemes and a chance to hear details on the Future Farming and Countryside Programme (FFCP).
Attendees were also given the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns directly with Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Payments Agency.
In attendance at the roadshow was Janet Hughes, programme director, Future Farming and Countryside Programme, DEFRA and Alison Johnson, engagement and operational readiness director, RPA.
“I am very happy to have been able to organise and host this innovative event. At the heart of Penrith and The Border constituency is farming,” said Dr Hudson.
“It was a great opportunity for farmers and rural stakeholders to come together to share their hopes and fears for the coming months and years. The atmosphere was collegiate and constructive with some fair but tough questioning of the panel members.
“With approximately 70 farmers and rural stakeholders in attendance the event was a great success and I am minded to organise future events on related subjects.
“In Cumbria and the UK, we have the best farmers and highest standards of animal welfare in the world. We all should very be proud of our farmers and what they do for us all. At this time of change in rural funding, it is vital that our farming community has the opportunity to raise any of their concerns with both DEFRA and the RPA to ensure they can compete globally and these standards can continue to be upheld.”
Janet Hughes, programme director, Future Farming and Countryside Programme, DEFRA, said: “I really enjoyed meeting farmers in Dr Neil Hudson’s constituency over the weekend to answer questions about the future of farming and countryside programme.
“I hope we are able to do justice to the questions, really enjoyed the discussion and look forward to a repeat fixture in future.”
