Farron to call hill farming summit in Westminster

10.52.48am GMT Thu 20th Mar 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has set about calling a summit on hill farming in the House of Commons in his role as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming. Mr Farron has invited the Government's rural communities advocate Stuart Burgess from the Commission for Rural Communities to come and address the group.

The Commission for Rural Communities recently called on the Government to establish an official commission to investigate the state of the industry, and Mr Farron is keen for the Hill Farming Group to hear his thoughts on the matter.

Tim Farron said:

"I met recently with Stuart and we had a very interesting discussion about the plight of communities in rural areas. I am delighted that someone with such insight and passion is in such a position of influence.

"The Hill Farming APPG has worked hard on behalf of farmers for almost three years now, and I am certain that many members will be very interested to hear the thoughts of Mr Burgess as we seek to improve the lot of upland farmers who have suffered most in recent times."