Recognition for a plan to protect Cumbria's farming industry gathers momentum

NFU gains cross party Cumbrian support for agriculture
NFU gains cross party Cumbrian support for agriculture

A comprehensive plan is needed to protect Cumbria’s fragile agricultural industry, a cross-party delegation has said.

A delegation of NFU representatives laid bare the extent of challenges facing the county’s farmers when visiting Westminster.

Cumbria is in the enviable position of having Members of Parliament from all three main political parties looking after constituencies within the county – with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) enjoying a good working relationship with all.

NFU Cumbrian Council Delegate Alistair Mackintosh said: "It’s vital all MPs recognise the importance of food production to the Cumbrian, rural and national economy.

"Food production delivers jobs and the environment – it’s crucial."

Sue Hayman, the Labour MP for Workington, helped bring all Cumbrian MPs together to join forces so that they speak with one voice in fighting Cumbria’s corner in Parliament.

Sue Hayman, Labour MP for Workington
Sue Hayman, Labour MP for Workington

Her group wished to hear about the specific challenges facing Cumbria’s dairy farmers directly from the NFU after they all received a letter from the NFU Cumbria County Chairman David Raine about the impact on the county’s economy of the down turn in milk price and the number of farmers leaving the industry.

Dairy was the focus of the discussion, but given the impact Brexit will have on Cumbria, the NFU delegation also broadened the discussion to other matters.

The delegration said that heavy investment in dairy processing in Cumbria is needed. Also, the introduction of legislation for contractual agreements between producers and processors was high up on the list.

Other than that, the group mentioned a need to secure continued free access to the European market, which is 'vital' for lamb exports and the Cumbrian economy.

The delegation want a commitment from the government to fund existing Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreements which run beyond the potential exit date or 2020.

Lastly, they said securing an early agreement on approval of funding for current applications to Countryside Stewardship Schemes both mid-tier and higher tier.

Triggering Article 50

Following the meeting, Sue Hayman MP asked the following question at Business Questions in the House of Commons.

"The EU Referendum Act 2016, which we debated in the last session, doesn’t contain any requirements for the Government to implement the result of the referendum, nor to set a time limit by when we should trigger Article 50.

"I’ve had a lot of constituents come to see me who are concerned about the implications of this, and I’ve had a meeting this week with local farmers who are particularly concerned about the EU funding streams, and are asking for assurance on that.

"Can the Leader of the House clarify if we will have an opportunity to debate these very important matters as soon as possible after our return from the summer recess?"

The Leader of the House replied: "Because of the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, it is ultimately for parliament to determine our membership of the European Union.

"But the Government has consistently said and acted on the basis that the referendum outcome would be decisive, and that the Government would honour the result, whatever that result turned out to be, and that is the approach that the Government intends to take. I think the country would expect no less."