CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride recently met with members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), where he answered questions on a wide range of farming and rural issues.

The meeting was held in a roundtable format, chaired by the NFU’s South West Regional Team, and was attended by representatives from the local farming community. 

Topics of discussion ranged from Bovine TB to the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and members were given the opportunity to quiz Mel Stride on the Government’s plan to support farmers using Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) under the Agricultural Transition Plan.

Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “It is always helpful to hear about farming and agricultural issues from farmers in person, and this was a productive meeting.

“There are a number of points that I am taking back with me to Westminster, and I look forward to liaising with the NFU on these going forward.”

NFU Devon County Adviser Fiona Rew said: “Thank you to Mel for addressing our recent meeting in Crediton. 

“Our members appreciated the opportunity to discuss various issues with him face-to-face and raise some of the challenges farmers in Devon are experiencing right now.

“We will continue to work closely with Mel to make sure our farmers’ voices are heard up in Westminster.”