CUMBRIA'S best-known shepherdess, Hannah Jackson has joined forces with a local MP in the fight to back British farmers.

The first generation young farmer, better known as the Red Shepherdess, had thanked Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, via social media for backing British farming, which led to the MP visiting her in person to explain why he took a stand for voting against the Government in the Agriculture Bill.

Dr Hudson said "As an MP and a veterinary surgeon, I will make no apology for standing up for animal welfare and our farmers by insisting on high animal welfare standards which would benefit farmers and animals not only in the UK but across the globe. I will keep going on this to uphold our high animal welfare and farming standards of which we can be so proud. The UK can be a beacon to the rest of the world on this.”

In a socially distanced walk around her Croglin farm, the pair had a wide-ranging discussion on current farming issues including agricultural colleges such as Newton Rigg Campus, due to be closed next year, be available to support the next generation of young famers and the vital need to address mental health in rural communities.

Hannah said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Neil to the Farm. As a farmer I appreciate the stance that he has taken to protect the welfare and foods standards that our country is renowned for. Neil has truly represented the views of the people that he was elected to serve and for that he has my utmost respect and thanks. We must now continue to fight to ensure that other MPs show the same courage and vote to preserve our standards. This is not just about a trade deal this is a much bigger issue that involves both the welfare of animals and the long term health of our nation."