Why do we value the hills? - Have your say

Upland farmers in Derbyshire and Staffordshire will be asked this important question at a Defra consultative meeting in Bakewell next week (1 February 2005).

As part of the review of the Hill Farm Allowance (funding from the EU for farmers in disadvantaged areas) Defra is consulting the farming industry about future levels of support for upland agriculture.

"We know that farming in upland Britain plays a vital role in conserving the landscape," says NFU's East Midlands' regional food and farming adviser, Carol Puddephatt. "As the HFA comes to an end in 2007, it is time to consider how farmers in the less favoured areas should be supported in future.

"We must take this opportunity to look at exactly what is needed in the uplands post single farm payment, how it will be delivered and what the benefits will be. The meeting in Bakewell is one of a series of events in England and Wales where farmers can give their views in person."

The speaker at the event will be Alex Page, Head of Uplands Management at Defra. Anyone interested in attending the meeting at the Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell, on Wednesday 1 February at 1.15pm, should contact Laura Harrison at NFU's regional office, to book his or her place. Laura can be contacted on 01572 824250.