Minister Meets With Local Farming Leaders
The Rt Hon Amanda Milling MP, Minister and Conservative Party Co-Chairman, has met with the Chair of NFU Anglesey Brian Bown to discuss the impact of coronavirus on the farming community of Anglesey. Representing a Staffordshire constituency with its own rich history of farming, Amanda Milling said “It was great to meet with Virginia and farmers from across Ynys Môn to hear about the challenges they’ve been facing in recent months.
“It was insightful to hear first hand about the impact of Coronavirus on the farming industry and how they’re working to achieve net zero across the whole of agriculture, while preparing for farming in the post-transition period.”
Organiser of the meeting, MP for Ynys Môn Virginia Crosbie said “Farming is so important to the rural community of Anglesey. It is for that reason, and my own family history of farming, that I am grateful for the opportunity to facilitate support for the inspirational people working in this industry.”
In addition to his role as the Chair of NFU Anglesey, Brian Bown runs Trewyn Farm in Maenaddwyn, Llanerchymedd where he rears cattle and lamb. He attended the meeting with his father and daughter - representing the three generations of their farming. After the meeting he commented “I was pleased that Virginia was able to arrange the meeting with the Cabinet Minister Amanda Milling today at Trewyn. Myself, Vice Chairman Wyn Williams, Deputy President NFU Cymru Aled Jones and my father Tom Bown, were able to share our concerns moving forward post Brexit especially on trade, the environment and food standards”.
In this difficult time, the UK Government is supporting the tourism industry on Ynys Môn with its Eat Out to Help Out scheme. With farmers making up a significant part of the supply chain, our local producers depend on Anglesey’s restaurants. Ensuring we protect our culinary delights will therefore aid local farmers, and all of those connected to the industry.
The scheme is accompanied by other support offered by the UK Government, the most prominent of these has been the furlough and work support schemes for people unable to work from home. Within Anglesey 7,400 people have been paid through the furlough scheme, and a further £7.4 million given to support the self-employed, alongside £27.2 million that has protected businesses with the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
Virginia Crosbie MP was pleased to see the myriad of support schemes providing a safety net for those in Anglesey. Ms Crosbie commented “I am reassured of the Government’s ongoing commitment to our island community. The funds that have been made available to Anglesey are invaluable and will secure the future of the island after the Coronavirus pandemic.”
ENDS
