Macc farmers to help form post-Brexit agriculture policy

MACCLESFIELD’S MP met with farmers to discuss life after Brexit.

David Rutley, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and Cheshire Young Farmers Club (YFC) have committed to working together to develop a plan that will enable the government to support and encourage the next generation of farmers.

It was discussed during a meeting of the YFC at Plant House Farm in Prestbury earlier this month.

Hannah Barton, chair of Cheshire YFC, has agreed to propose policy ideas which Mr Rutley will forward to Ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Following the meeting, Mr Rutley had a tour around the new milking parlour at Plant House Farm which helped highlight the investment required in agriculture.

The new parlour is much more efficient than the previous one and has lower running costs, allowing the Eardley family, reducing the time it takes to milk.

Mr Rutley said: “Following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, co-operation between politicians, the government and the next generation of farmers will be crucial to ensuring that the rural economy continues to prosper.

“I am grateful to the NFU and YFC for committing to such co-operation post-Brexit.”

Helen Wainwright from NFU Cheshire said almost three quarters of agricultural exports go to the EU.

She said: “It’s crucial the farming industry works with MPs to shape what the intended trading environment will be for Britain post-Brexit.

“We all need to ensure that British farming has a profitable, productive and resilient future post-Brexit and that a post-Brexit Britain truly does work for everyone.”