MORE than 45 farmers and stakeholders concerned over the future of agriculture in the county joined a virtual farming roadshow hosted by a county MP.

Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border said farmers joined the event to voice their concerns over the new agricultural funding schemes. It was the second in the MP’s series of virtual farming roadshows giving farmers the opportunity to raise issues directly with officials.

The panel consisted of Janet Hughes, programme director, Future Farming and Countryside Programme, at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and Sandy Kapila, customer director, Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

Those farmers who joined the roadshow were given an update by Janet Hughes on the delivery of current schemes, together with further details on the Future Farming and Countryside Programme (FFCP).

This was then followed by a question-and-answer session on a wide range of subjects, including the new Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELM), food security and trade agreements.

Janet Hughes said: “It was great to meet Cumbrian farmers again and hear their questions and concerns - I was hugely grateful to those who took the time to dial in at what I know is a very busy time of year.”

Following the event, Dr Hudson said: “I hope that this session can further enable DEFRA and the RPA to accurately support those who dedicate themselves to the farming industry with the highest of animal welfare and environmental standards.”