MP launches report on farming communities
Cumbrian MP Tim Farron hosted the launch of the report: 'Putting the Spotlight on our Farming Communities - The role of Farmer Networks in challenging areas' in the House of Commons on Tuesday this week.
The event saw a range of delegates from across the farming community in the UK, including the Cumbria Farmers Network, came together to focus on the importance of supporting farmers, through farmer networks, particularly those in less favoured areas.
At the launch, farmers from 3 of the case studies focused on in the report: the Exmoor Hill Farm Project, the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS) and the Farmer Network Ltd presented their experiences as well as the benefits for farmers and wider social outcomes that their farmer network provides for the community.
Opening the event in the Jubilee Room in the Houses of Parliament, Tim acknowledged the importance of farming communities working together to overcome the struggles faced by individual farmers during the difficult economic times. He also focused on the great work that has been done by Rose Regeneration, who are responsible for putting together this report, in identifying and supporting a range of different and essential farmer networks across the UK.
Commenting after the event Tim said: "I am very honoured to have been asked to support and host the launch of this vital report which looks and the essential role Farmer Networks play in supporting our agricultural industry.
"At a time when the world population is rapidly increasing and demand for food is expected to double over the next half a century we should really be in agolden age for farming. Yet the financial pressures placed on farmers and the constant battles they must fight to secure a decent price for their produce is putting our farming industry at risk.
"This report is incredibly timely and I am proud to have been involved in helping to firmly put the focus back on supporting our farmers, through farmer networks, to help restore the farming industry to the strength it once had."
ENDS