RYEDALE MP Kevin Hollinrake has been lobbied by hill farmers concerned about the future of farming in the North York Moors post-Brexit.

A group of farmers from the Ryedale branch of the NFU braved the snow storms last weekend to meet with Mr Hollinrake, MP for the Thirsk and Malton constituency, and put across their point of view about the challenges faced by farmers in upland areas.

Ryedale NFU group secretary Geoff Todd, who organised the meeting, said: “Working in the hills presents many unique challenges and we are thankful that Mr Hollinrake allowed us to show him first hand what the issues are.”

The host for the event was Dennis Easton of Low Ewe Cote Farm, Laskill.

Mr Easton explained how he feels “a great sense of responsibility” for maintaining the landscape of the North York Moors National Park in its current state but that “that comes at a cost” due to the conditions of the common agricultural policy’s stewardship schemes.

Mr Easton said: “Simply maintaining the 26km of stone walls on my farm costs thousands of pounds a year and if I am expected to reduce fertiliser usage and restrict timing and stocking density of grazing patterns for the benefit of the environment I must be properly compensated.

“If the Government gets these steward schemes wrong the next generation will not be able to afford to stay farming in this valley.”

Other issues discussed at the meeting included future international trade deals post-Brexit, rural crime, broadband and mobile phone connectivity.

Kevin Hollinrake, who is currently parliamentary private secretary to Defra Minister Michael Gove, said: “It was good to meet this group of farmers who are passionate about producing food and maintaining this stunning environment in Bilsdale and hear their concerns.

“I have taken away many action points to present to various groups and will continue to work with the farming community to maintain this essential sector.”

New proposals for the farming industry are outlined in a report entitled Health and Harmony.

In the report, Mr Gove said that post-Brexit subsidies will be given to farmers in exchange for enhancing the environment and investing in sustainable food production.