Shadow Minister Meets Local Farmers

Salisbury MP Robert Key has invited Shadow Agriculture Minister Owen Paterson to meet local farmers in South Wiltshire.

Robert Key said, “The rural economy is still in a bad way and farmers are bearing the brunt of it. My colleague Owen Paterson is an experienced Conservative Member of Parliament for a rural constituency in Shropshire. The farming community needs to know that their future Minister understands their problems instinctively. We will be discussing the problems of dairy farmers and badgers, fallen stock and agricultural prices.”

“Last month, in advance of a debate in the House of Commons on Bovine Tuberculosis, I received a heartfelt letter from Mr Nicholas Helyer of Little Langford Farm in the Wylye Valley drawing my attention to the gravity of the situation. A copy of that e-mail is attached. It is heartbreaking that this farmer has to shoot all bull calves at birth. TB was diagnosed in more cattle in his heard just after he had written to me. He now has just over 75 badger setts on his farm and his business is seriously threatened.”

You are invited to join Nicholas Helyer at Little Langford Farm on Thursday 26th February at 10.30am. Owen Paterson and Robert Key will discuss the problem and view the farm where dozens of badger setts can be seen from a single location.