A COUNTRYSIDE association has decided to go ahead with its annual meeting, despite the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
The North-East branch of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) meets at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, on June 14.
Antony Haslam, CLA regional director, said: "With so many events and meetings being cancelled I, together with the chairman and vice-chairman, believe it is important for members to have the chance to meet and talk together again."
He said: "Hardwick Park was opened at Easter. There is no livestock grazing within the area of the park and there has not been an outbreak within six kilometres of Hardwick."
In a letter to members, Mr Haslam says: "We fully understand if some of you feel that it is too risky to meet members from farms in the area."
The meeting is to be addressed by national deputy president of the CLA, Sir Edward Greenwell
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