HEREFORDSHIRE farmers met the two MPs representing Ross-on-Wye to discuss sector issues, work to drive growth in the county and measures to benefit food production and the countryside.

The new NFU Herefordshire senior officeholder team and county adviser Catherine Hinds held on-farm meetings with MPs Jesse Norman (South Herefordshire and Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire).

Current farming and countryside issues were put under the spotlight and there was a discussion on solutions to benefit businesses and to find common ground on issues having an impact on food, farming and the countryside.

Water quality, nutrient management, rural connectivity and food production standards were all discussed during the meeting with Ellie Chowns at a farm near Ledbury and a meeting with Jesse Norman at a farm within his constituency.

Water quality and the use of nutrients to grow food featured prominently during the meetings with discussions on the River Wye and initiatives to look at how farmers are working to improve the catchment.

The Wye remains a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation and has the UK’s highest level of protection, and the farmers were keen to discuss the huge amount of work that is going on.

The group also included new Herefordshire county chairman Will Watkins, vice chairman Esther Rudge and county NFU Council delegate Louise Manning.

Esther Rudge discussed the Wyescapes project, which she is involved with and also highlighted the need for projects to be given a chance to deliver ahead of additional regulation.

Wyescapes is a new initiative that brings together 40 farm businesses covering more than 4,000 hectares along the river to identify actions and changes to benefit habitat and species, improve river health and continue to drive sustainable food production. 

The sparseness and quality of data from the regulatory bodies on water quality was also discussed and the need for it to ensure any action taken is effective.

Catherine Hinds, the National Farmers’ Union’s new county adviser said: “These were useful meetings to have with our Members of Parliament, and we will follow them up, continue to highlight issues from the grassroots to the highest level.

“We’ll also champion the good work happening on our farms to put food on people’s tables, benefit our economy and communities and enhance the countryside.”

“We also had an interesting chat with Mr Norman about the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering in Hereford and the work they are doing to address the shortfall in engineering graduates and some of the research projects they are working on.

“There may be scope for NFU members to work with New Model Institute in the future on drone technology and some of their other projects and for them to get out on county farms. “As an industry that embraces innovation and science that is really positive.”

Mr Norman is a vocal advocate for local farming, frequently highlighting the sector's struggles against rising costs, mental health challenges, and tax changes. He heavily criticises government’s punitive policies, including agricultural inheritance tax changes and funding cuts.