FARMERS are being urged to take part in a series of free workshops being run to highlight the opportunities available in the wake of Common Agricultural Policy reforms.

The workshops, which are taking place across North Yorkshire, are being run by National Farmers' Union (NFU) regional staff and farm business consultants Andersons.

The aim is to provide up-to-the-minute information on the reforms, as well as give farmers the chance to look at how they will have to respond to the challenges ahead.

Specific sessions are being offered for the arable, dairy and livestock sectors and workshops will take place in Thirsk, Kirkbymoorside, Aysgarth, Harrogate and Northallerton. NFU staff will provide the latest information on the reform proposals and how they are to be implemented. This will include an update on how to apply for Single Farm Payments and a review of what farmers need to know about cross-compliance.

Andersons will focus on how the reforms will affect farm businesses, providing economic analysis and a detailed assessment of how farmers should be planning for a future without subsidies.

NFU senior food and farming advisor James Ede said: "These reforms represent the biggest shake-up of farming since the introduction of the Common Agricultural Policy after the war.

"Since they were announced in February, most people have concentrated on understanding the reforms and working out how they will affect individual farms.

"Adapting to change is always difficult, so these workshops are designed to explore a range of business opportunities in a positive and practical way."

The workshops are being funded by Yorkshire Forward and Yorkshire Bank. Places are limited to 25 for each event and are being offered on a first come, first served basis.

Anyone interested should contact Angela Leatherbarrow, at Andersons, on (01845) 524455.