Farming is Somerset's second biggest business - but Somerset farmers have to try harder. The soil may be rich, but the landscape doesn't make it easy for anyone....everything from frequently-flooded wetlands on the Levels to bleak hills. Dairy farming is in the doldrums. Sheep farming is much less than lucrative. Farm incomes are at an all-time low. Subsidies are under threat. European Agricultural Policy is up for reform. And many who work on the land believe that central government ignores their plight. This is a stark background, but sadly true. I have now been appointed to the key Parliamentary Select Committee which oversees the work of the main Government department governing farming and the environment - the DEFRA committee.

Our first task for 2004 is an investigation of the way CAP reforms could be implemented. This is issue is of vital importance for farmers in our area, and I am now creating a special Farming and Food Forum to get the feedback from the people who matter - the people who work the land and produce the food. Please get in touch if you need advice. 

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The two biggest food producers in the constituency:

www.yeovalley.co.uk
www.gerberfoods.com

10 Downing Street's website has sections about government in your local area - http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page656.asp covers the South West.

DEFRA (no, its not a spelling error!) is the silly new name for the Department of the Environment, Farming, Fishing and Rural Affairs: http://www.defra.gov.uk/

The Countryside Agency is a government-funded body helping to direct rural policy - http://www.countryside.gov.uk

The National Farmers Union represents farmers throughout the region - http://www.nfu.org/

The Countryside Alliance (better known for its campaigns on hunting) also handles wider rural issues - http://www.countryside-alliance.org/

The Country Land and Business Association is a membership organisation with useful information - http://www.cla.org.uk