REPRESENTATIVES from the specially-formed policy commission were in Teesdale on Friday to gather information at first hand on the future of farming and food production in England.

Headed by the chairman, Sir Donald Curry, who has farmed near Hexham for the past 30 years and is a former chairman of the Meat and Livestock Commission, the members completed the first stage of six regional visits which will form a strand in the consultation process.

Sir Donald, who took time out to meet the D&S Times in Staindrop, said the ten members of the commission were appointed in a personal capacity, were not representative of any organisation and were determined to be completely open about their findings.

"We will receive views from everyone who has a view to express," he said.

"Regions differ in their priorities, and it's essential we understand how they fit into the bigger picture. We need to develop policy with a full understanding of the impact it might have on the issues pertinent to each individual region."

While in Teesdale, the team visited Raby estates to learn more about estate management and tenant-landlord issues. They met Lord Barnard and his estate manager and took a trip up through Middleton in Teesdale, where they met three of the estate tenants, receiving what Sir Donald called a "comprehensive brief".

"This revealed pressures particular to upland areas like Teesdale, and it is so important we understand those," he said. "Diversification needs to be plan-ned and encouraged, but without destroying the environment they are trying to preserve."

He pledged to take on board comments in a report released by the Council for the Protection of Rural England this week, which outlined the need for food to be produced, sold and consumed regionally.

Sir Donald's remit includes looking at the environmental costs of intensive farming and food production.

He agreed with the CPRE that cheap food did not always mean cheap. "Subsidies, the way food is produced in other countries and the use of fuel to transport food for miles all contribute to the hidden costs," he said.

One thing the commission would address was what the growth potential of regional foods was likely to be.

"On our visits to Teesdale and Cumbria we have seen how good land management can preserve a unique environment; how one farm business can provide an outlet for other rural enterprises and how regional branding can be used to add value to locally produced foods," said Sir Donald.

"We also met a lot of people with interests in the countryside and heard their concerns and solutions. This is vital if we are to base our findings on sound knowledge."

As well as the visits, the commission, which was set up in August, has been receiving written submissions and holding stakeholder meetings as part of the consultation process. It is due to present its report to the prime minister in January.