Farming Minister to visit Westmorland and Lonsdale

3.00.00pm GMT Wed 7th Nov 2007

DEFRA Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food, Lord Rooker has agreed to visit a hill farm in Westmorland and Lonsdale after being invited by the area's MP, Tim Farron. Mr Farron is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming and is keen for the Minister to witness first hand the effects of the foot and mouth outbreak this summer.

Although the outbreak was confined to the Surrey/Berkshire area, the effects were still felt up and down the country, with movement restrictions coming into effect during the crucial market season.

Tim Farron said:

"I am delighted that Lord Rooker has accepted my invitation. It is important that, as Minister for the sector, Lord Rooker gets to see for himself conditions on the ground, especially in a region like ours where farming is so important.

"Hill farming helps to shape the landscape which makes the area so beautiful. I have been calling on the Government to increases assistance for farmers, and this will present a good opportunity to put the case directly to the Minister."