South Cheshire MP Supports Local Farmers (From Crewe Guardian)

South Cheshire MP Supports Local Farmers

9:00am Thursday 4th March 2010 in

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SOUTH Cheshire MP Stephen O’Brien visited Beeston Market last week to meet with local farmers.

He also met with members of the National Farmers Union to discuss a range of farming issues and Conservative proposals to usher in a ‘new age of agriculture’.

Mr O’Brien discussed the dire state of the dairy industry and the need for a supermarket ombudsman to ensure that farmers and other suppliers receive a fair deal through the supply chain. Other issues of concern included the continuing credit crunch for those working in the rural economy, rising feed costs, the need to control TB in cattle and the huge amounts of time spent on paperwork and red tape.

Mr O’Brien said: “The credit crunch in the rural economy is continuing to have a massive impact on local businesses and too many of our farmers are still finding it difficult to access finance for investment.

“Many more are receiving a raw deal on their current banking arrangements. "The Government needs to get a grip of the banks in which the taxpayer is a majority shareholder.

"Instead of paying massive bonuses with our money, it should be used to increase the availability of credit for the rural businesses which provide over 440,000 jobs across Eddisbury, Cheshire and Britain.

“Since 1997 British farmers have been treated as dispensable and we have become increasingly dependent on imports of meat, dairy produce and vegetables which we can produce ourselves.

“It is a nonsense that we are not totally self-sufficient when the best dairy producers in the world are here on our doorstep in Cheshire. "Falls in domestic production not only weaken our food security, but also threaten the viability of our rural communities.

"Reversing this damaging trend requires a new approach. "Increasing production must become a strategic priority.

“Farming has a critical role in Britain’s future."

The NFU’s senior policy advisor Adam Briggs said: “We also engaged in a useful discussion about the Conservative manifesto for farming, including the thorny issue of TB. "I welcome the assurance that early action will be taken to tackle all vectors of the disease. "All in all I think the meeting was very positive and we look forward to Stephen’s continued support on agricultural issues."