Upland farmers made their views known on controversial government policies affecting their livelihood at a face-to-face meeting with the farming minister in West Devon.

Stephen Morgan MP, Minister for Farming, Food and Rural Affairs, was invited by Torridge & Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox to Dartmoor.

Sir Geoffrey took the minister to visit a local upland farm to see first-hand the unique circumstances faced by Dartmoor’s farmers and the challenges of protecting the landscape, while farming sustainably; including grazing, the economic viability of upland farming, and regeneration and management of Dartmoor’s precious vegetation and landscape.

The visit, on Monday, September, 21, was part of the fourth annual Dartmoor Forum (chaired by Sir Geoffrey) an event bringing together farmers, stakeholders and representatives of statutory bodies to discuss the future of farming on the moor, following David Fursdon’s Independent Review which evaluated how to balance farming, public access and nature conservation on Dartmoor.

Following the farm visit, Sir Geoffrey chaired an open panel discussion focused on the implementation of the Fursdon Review, the work of the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group (DLUMG), and the importance of improving relationships between statutory bodies, stakeholders and farmers.

Farmers were able to put their concerns directly with the panel, which included NFU Vice President Robyn Munt, Phil Stocker (DLUMG), David Slater (Natural England), and the minister.

Following the open discussion, Sir Geoffrey convened a closed working meeting, providing an opportunity for further discussions between stakeholders. Both meetings highlighted the need to rapidly develop and establish flexible working methods and grazing arrangements for farmers, alongside vegetation management.

Discussions also considered how the landscape trials undertaken by the DLUMG could help develop agri-environment schemes that specifically support the economic viability of Dartmoor’s farmers while protecting the moor’s unique landscape for generations.

The meeting comes against a backdrop of farmers reporting significant problems with the sudden closure of the sustainable faming incentive (SFI) £233 million funding, leaving many with a ‘black hole’ in their budgets for planned projects.

Sir Geoffrey said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the farming minister to one of the many moorland farms in my constituency and to host another Dartmoor Forum.

“It is imperative all parties continue to make progress in implementing the recommendations of David Fursdon’s Review. At a time of transitional uncertainty, with current higher level stewardship schemes (a precursor of the SFI) ending and continued uncertainty around the Government’s funding allocation for future agri-environment schemes, farmers need clarity and the flexibility to farm in a way that strikes the right balance between grazing and the regeneration of Dartmoor’s precious landscape.

“I am extremely grateful to the Minister for taking the time to listen to the concerns raised and for his commitment to take these issues back to Whitehall. I especially welcome his engagement on developing bespoke and flexible arrangements for Dartmoor’s farmers and his support for the DLUMG and its ongoing landscape recovery work. It’s clear action must be accelerated, and I’ll continue to work with all parties to ensure the future of farming on our precious moorland.”