A GROUP of local farmers and NFU representative have met with the MP for Central Devon to voice their concerns on a range of agricultural issues.

Bovine tuberculosis, supermarket milk prices and the Common Agricultural Policy were high on the agenda at the meeting on a Devon farm with Mel Stride MP.

Mr Stride met farmers Paul Griffith and Peter Chisholm, and NFU representatives Simon Whattler, Mark Ley, Kerry Lyons and Murray Garrett at Inwardleigh to hear their concerns and provide them with an update on the latest Government action.

He said: 'I was very pleased to meet so many farmers and their representatives. It is absolutely vital that I and fellow MPs continue to listen to our farmers and do all we can to help them.

'Issues like Bovine TB and the supermarkets paying fair prices for milk are very important and I was able to update those present on the action that the Government is taking in these important areas.'

Other topics discussed were the supermarket adjudicator's role in ensuring retailers are fair in their dealings with farmers, and ways in which the Government can cut red tape.

Murray Garrett, from Okehampton NFU, said: 'We really appreciated Mel's support and the opportunity to meet him on the farm.

'We are very pleased that he is taking up our concerns and it is important our MP understands our worries and does what he can to help, all of which will ultimately benefit the customer.'

Mr Stride has spoken in the House of Commons on Bovine TB and has backed steps, such as a controlled badger cull, to tackle the disease, which costs the country around £100-million a year.