We are aware of the challenges, minister tells Shropshire farmers

George Eustice MP, was speaking at a specially arranged meeting at Shrewsbury Livestock Market.

He discussed several topical matters relating to the farming industry, including plans for Brexit and the future of UK agriculture, before providing those present with the opportunity to ask questions.

The meeting was initiated by Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski, and comes after the Agricultural Bill was officially published on Wednesday.

Farmers from various backgrounds including dairy, livestock and cereal attended the meeting on Thursday evening.

Mr Eustice, who has been the UK's DEFRA minister since 2015, said the meeting was a good opportunity to speak to farmers about future challenges.

He added: "Daniel Kawczynski asked whether I'd come to Shropshire to meet his farmers. The answer was absolutely, I love this part of the world.

"It was an opportunity to speak to farmers about the Agricultural Bill which we've published this week, and our plans for future agricultural policy."

The new bill has been hailed as an historic moment for British farmers, as the UK looks to leave the EU and move forward.

In addition, the new legislation aims to reward farmers who protect the environment, leaving the countryside in a cleaner, greener and healthier state for future generations.

Challenges

Mr Eustice said he was well aware of the challenges farmers across the West Midlands faced.

"There are always challenges in farming," he explained.

"Here in Shropshire where you've got a lot of livestock, I'm aware that Bovine TB is an issue. The badger cull is important in the eradication in this disease. We're pressing ahead, and we are trying to tackle this very urgent animal health disease.

"The drought has also had a huge impact and in some sectors, notably the fruit and veg sector, the rains came in time to salvage yields and to put them back in a reasonable position."

Farmers had travelled from the Welsh borders, Oswestry and further afield to have a their say on the evening's discussions.

Malcolm Roberts, a north Shropshire farmer and the NFU chairman for the West Midlands, said he was pleased that the minister had taken the time to meet farmers, and that they had been keen to hear what he had to say.

Mr Roberts added that farmers are desperate to see a beneficial trade deal in the wake of Brexit, which would put them on a level playing field with the rest of the world.

He said: "The turnout tonight was tremendous, this is our livelihood. It is good to have first hand feedback, the agricultural bill has been very topical.

"I believe Brexit was another important issue for tonight's agenda, I think we need to see a strong trade deal.

"That's going to be crucial, what we don't want is an unfair playing field where we've got hands tied and we can't compete against the rest of the world."