What is Herefordshire best known for? What comes first to mind when you think of this county?

There are a few possibilities: our magnificent countryside, the Cathedral, the lovely reaches and turns of the River Wye. But a pint of Herefordshire cider must rank high on the list.

Cider is one of the county’s finest products, and one of its finest exports, with an increasingly international reach around the world.

From Paris, France to Paris, Texas, there will probably be punters contently sipping on a Herefordshire cider this evening.

But the role that small, artisan cider makers play in our economy is also of great importance, and they deserve our recognition and support.

That was a key reason why I and my colleague Bill Wiggin successfully helped to press for the abolition of the 10p cider tax rise during the last Parliament.

But we had cause to worry once again earlier this year when the European Commission recommended the removal of the tax break for cider makers producing up to 12,000 pints per year.

Such a change would have clobbered our smaller cider makers, who have been doing so well of late.

To draw attention to the issue, I was honoured to help deliver a petition recently to the Prime Minister with the folks from the Herefordshire branch of the CAMRA to reinforce the importance of maintaining their tax exemption. The petition had 500 signatures, and featured prominently during the Beer (and cider!) on the Wye Festival last July.

One of the cider producers who joined us was Lewis Scott, owner of Ross-on-Wye’s very own Cleeve Orchard. Standing on the steps of 10 Downing Street together, the message was clear: that the Government should stand firm on this important local issue.

Thankfully, the Chancellor was able to maintain the exemption, as the Budget made clear. It was the right outcome, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Jesse Norman MP

MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire