West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin expressed her strong support for local farmers at the Conservative Party’s annual conference.

Dame Harriett attended the National Farmers’ Union stand at the conference held in Birmingham and chatted to the organisation’s president Tom Bradshaw about the future of farming policy.

The MP regularly meets with local farmers to hear their concerns and has been a strong advocate for food security and the protection of high-quality agricultural land.

More than 5,700 people work in agriculture across Worcestershire and the farming sector is worth £1.5 billion to the local economy.

Dame Harriett said:

“It is always useful to catch up with the NFU and talk with Tom Bradshaw. I meet with our local farmers regularly and always speak up for them in the House of Commons.

“During the election campaign, I made clear manifesto commitments about maintaining financial support.

“There was nothing in the Labour party manifesto and with a Budget coming up farmers are worried that the rug will be pulled from under their feet.

“Support like the sustainable Farming Initiative and land stewardship schemes have helped farmers to bridge the gap in their budgets but nationally Labour have shown no recognition of the challenges farmers face to put food on our tables.

“Farming is a hugely important part of the West Worcestershire economy and I’m backing local farmers and food producers to keep doing their amazing job.”

Photo: (l-r) NFU president Tom Bradshaw with Dame Harriett Baldwin MP.