CHESHIRE NFU members highlighted issues and the need to see farming families supported when they held talks with an MP.

About 10 Cheshire farmers met the new MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, Aphra Brandreth and impressed on her what farm businesses need to continue to grow and rear high quality, traceable and sustainable food.

The discussion at Tattenhall was her first on-farm meeting with Cheshire NFU members as a new MP and she reinforced her commitment to the industry, saying she would continue to make representations in Westminster.

The meeting was held at Poplar Hall Farm and a variety of sector issues were put under the spotlight including the cost-of-living crisis and national food security.

Farmers also discussed bovine TB and the devastating impact of the disease on beef and dairy herds in the county and the mental stress it puts on farming families.

Livestock worrying, rural crime, access to permanent and seasonal labour and the movement to new Government support schemes also featured heavily - as farmers look to produce food but also continue to manage the farmed environment to benefit habitat and species. 

Dairy farmer Alistair Dobson, Cheshire NFU chair, said: “I was pleased we were able to meet on farm with Alphra and we are keen to work with her to help drive county farming forward.

“I’d like to thank her for her time, those members that came along to have their say and the Matthews family for hosting us.

“The General Election seems like an age ago now but the campaign from all parties saw widespread acknowledgement that food security is national security.

“Cheshire farmers now need practical policies and investment which allow us to deliver on our shared mission to produce more great British food and provide jobs and stimulate growth throughout the UK through the food and drink sector.”

In her maiden speech in the House of Commons the MP also showed her commitment to Cheshire agriculture and horticulture when she highlighted the importance of farming to the national economy and said the contribution of the countryside was incalculable. 

In her first intervention as an MP she spoke in an adjournment debate on food security, calling on the Government to take the matter seriously and emphasising that food security is national security.

Following the NFU meeting she said: “It was a pleasure to meet with Alistair, county adviser Helen Wainwright and many other farmers from across Chester South and Eddisbury.

“Our farmers are vital to our rural economy, food security, the environment, and the wider community.

“As their Member of Parliament, they know that I will champion their cause, speak up on their behalf and work alongside them to hold the Government to account."

Helen Wainwright, NFU county adviser, said the food farmers produced in in the county had a reputation for excellence and it was vital core production standards were in place to ensure county farms were not undercut by imported products produced to lower environmental and welfare standards.