Isle of Wight NFU members have met Island MP Bob Seely to discuss topical issues including Brexit, local food and fairness within the supply chain.
Last Thursday the MP toured the mixed farming enterprise at Idlecombe Farm, near Newport, thanks to host farmer Neville Smith. There he saw beef and sheep production, the arable side of the business and the farm’s extensive conservation work under the Higher Level Stewardship Stewardship scheme. Farmers and growers including Isle of Wight NFU chair Matt Legge and Isle of Wight NFU Adviser James Osman attended.
Mr Osman summed up the meeting. He said:
“We told the MP about the diversity of farming on the Island, and the huge benefits it brings for the landscape, employment and food production. After the tour, we had a meeting back at the farmhouse with some of the NFU committee members. We discussed a wide range of issues including post Brexit agricultural funding, marketing IoW produce, fair treatment from supermarkets and rural broadband.
“We hope to be able to work with the MP on some key issues affecting the Island over the next few years.”
