Farron hails 'instrumental' work of Will Cockbain

Cumbrian MP, Tim Farron, has today hailed Will Cockbain as it was announced last week that he is standing down from his position as Uplands spokesperson for the National Farmers Union (NFU) after 8 years to take up a position on the Board of Natural England.

Commenting Tim said: "In his time as the upland spokesperson for the NFU Will has been absolutely instrumental in the fight for a better deal for uplands farmers.

"He played a key role in helping to set up the All Party Parliamentary Group for Hill Farming in 2005 and in continuously putting pressure on the Government to improve their uplands policy and enable Hill Farmers to have better access to funding, information and development support to provide a better future for the uplands.

"Natural England has traditionally been seen, rightly or wrongly, as acting against the interests of the uplands. Will is definitely the right man to put them back on the right track and I look forward to working with him in his new role."