Farron addresses 'Great North Meet'

3.00.00pm GMT Tue 5th Feb 2008

Local MP Tim Farron addressed 'Great North Meet' today, at the Newton Rigg College in Penrith. The conference is the gathering of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and focussed on some of the major issues in farming today including food miles, sourcing local produce and the rising cost of food.

Mr Farron's speech looked at the future of British farming - in particular the need to champion 'fair trade' for British farmers. Tim has been calling for the fair trade brand to be extended to British farmers over the past few months.

Tim Farron said:

"Events like the Great North Meet are an excellent opportunity for farmers young and old to come together and discuss the key issues of the day.

"British farmers deserve a fair deal as much as developing-world farmers do, and I intend to make sure this happens. Farming is a vital industry in this country and the way farmers have been exploited by supermarkets and large processors is outrageous."