Farmers to get commons hearing

The shadow rural affairs minister has promised to take the concerns of Shropshire and Herefordshire farmers to the House of Commons.

David Lidington MP met with farmers from the two counties on Tuesday during a fact-finding tour to listen to the views and fears of the people who live and work there.

Farmers were keen to discuss the threat of TB in local cattle herds when they met the Conservative MP.

Hereford farmer Martyn Jones hosted the meeting around his kitchen table in Broadfield, Kinnersley.

Following the visit Mr Lidington told the BBC: "What we can do is use the practical examples the farmers have been giving me about their difficulties to raise these with Margaret Beckett and the Labour ministers who are responsible for handling these problems at the moment.

"The other thing these conversations teach me is the importance of providing answers to these questions when it comes to framing our manifesto for next year's European elections and the general election whenever the prime minister calls it."

During the day he also spoke to teachers and pupils from Weobley High School, in Hereford, and Conservative party members.