AN MP has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the future of hill farming, saying the industry is "hugely important to the future of our rural areas".
Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, has written to Anne McIntosh, chairman of the Select Committee on Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, asking her to look into the issues facing hill farmers and hill farming communities.
Ms Goodmans constituency includes Teesdale, which has a large number of hill farmers.
Ms Goodman said: "The needs of hill farmers and hill farming communities are often overlooked and the needs of hill farmers are very different to that of other types of farmers.
"Hill farmers are hugely important to the future of our rural areas. We shouldnt underestimate the work they do in upkeeping our rural landscape in places like Teesdale and across the North-East.
"However, they have seen a long-term fall in their incomes and they cant diversify into other businesses as easily as other farmers."
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