Copeland MP Trudy Harrison has written to Farming Minister Victoria Prentis to highlight issues facing the constituency’s farming industry.
Mrs Harrison has written to Minister Prentis on behalf of the farming community in the Bassenthwaite area, following a meeting with local farmers and National Farmers’ Union representatives.
Mrs Harrison has requested a one-year suspension of the planned reduction to the Basic Payment Scheme in light of the economic and other challenges presently facing the industry.
Mrs Harrison said: “The farmers I met with recently are, understandably, concerned about the uncertainty the industry currently finds itself in, exacerbated by recent and impending rises in energy, feed and food prices.
“A suspension of the planned Basic Payment Scheme reduction would help our farmers meet the significant extra costs they face at present, helping secure jobs both in farming directly and the many ancillary businesses that depend on the industry.
“The suspension would also help the UK to produce more of its own food, thereby alleviating some concerns about the UK sourcing food from other countries given the current issues with global supply chains, the rising energy costs and the environmental impact of importing.”
