A LOCAL MP is to raise farmers’ concerns in the Houses of Parliament after a meeting with them in her constituency.

Anne McIntosh, the Vale of York MP, met with farmers at Lockton, near Pickering, with members of the National Farmers’ Union on Monday. (sept 28) The Prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Thirsk and Malton is also a member of the shadow Defra team.

She said: "Questions were raised with me regarding the application of the EU nitrates directive and the high costs incurred to livestock farmers, posing a particular problem for tenant farmers.

"The low cost of milk and the issues of accessing the milk market, the electronic tagging of sheep, the six day standstill rule and cost sharing of animal health provisions where also raised.

"We also discussed labelling, food procurement by public services such as the army and schools and the future of hill farming.

"I have agreed to raise the issue of milk prices as part of the select committee report into the demise of diary farmers of Britain.

"I will raise these issues in parliamentary questions and to have regard to their concerns as we draft the Conservative party manifesto for the General Election."