Chairman of the NFU Hill and Uplands farming group, Robin Milton, who farms 1100 acres in Devon met with Owen Patterson at the North Devon show last week, to discuss the implications of CAP reform for the uplands.
“I was encouraged to hear that the Government views the long term health of the farming community as essential in the maintenance of landscapes like those in Devon that have been shaped by agriculture for generations, and are keen to work with farmers across the board to ensure a fair deal is reached for everyone. This round of CAP reform has been disappointing; with the government failing to deliver an acceptable deal from Brussels-but it is now a case of rolling up our sleeves and trying to distribute the pain equally across the board.”
"I believe we have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of farming, landscape management and ecosystem services in hill and upland regions by positive engagement and contribution to policy development over the coming months that will secure the future of farming and deliver long lasting results for future generations to value." Mr Milton added.