CUMBRIAN farmers met with Eden MP Rory Stewart to discuss a range of issues as members of the National Farmers Union gear up to give their ideas on the country's future domestic agricultural policy.

NFU Cumbria County Chairman David Raine was present at the meeting at Sockbridge Hall near Penrith and said important areas of policy such as trade, what kind of support the industry needs and how farmers and growers will source labour were all discussed.

The NFU launched its options paper last week giving its members the chance to voice what they think is needed from a future agricultural policy for the British farming sector. The consultation will be the largest in a generation with 50 meetings being held across the country for members to attend and discuss the options with NFU officeholders and policy advisers.

A meeting was held at Café Ambio, J36 Rural Auction Centre, yesterday (Wednesday morning). NFU President Meurig Raymond was in attendance.

Mr Raine, from Old Parks in Kirkoswald, said: “The best way for Cumbrian farmers to have their ideas and thoughts heard by MPs like Rory Stewart is to get involved in the NFU’s post Brexit consultation. We’re expecting thousands of NFU members to grasp with both hands the opportunity to share their views. This is the chance to shape the future for our industry for all future generations of British farmers and growers.”

The consultation period will end on 14 September 2016 - the day the NFU will hold its Back British Farming Day to promote dynamic British food and farming to MPs.

“Brexit is about building the industry’s influence. The NFU’s aim, once our members have spoken, is to provide a strong and united voice for the food and farming industry to ensure that agriculture’s interests are represented in trade discussions,” added Mr Raine.

“I encourage NFU members to obtain and read a copy of the organisation’s options paper entitled ‘Shaping a new and dynamic future for agriculture and horticulture’. Then they should attend one or more of our consultation meetings in the months ahead. This is your chance to shape the future for our industry, for you and for all future generations of British farmers and growers.”