BOVINE TB, red tape, reform of the common agricultural policy and the proposed Groceries Ombudsman were on the menu when the Worcester branch of the National Farmers Union met a county MP.

The meeting chaired by local farmer Peter Phillips gave members a chance to voice their concerns and express their views on a variety of topics over breakfast with Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff.

Speaking afterwards Mr Luff said: “Worcestershire is a county that is shaped by its farmers.

“It’s invaluable to hear at firsthand what is worrying the farming community.

“Only that way can I take back their concerns to the ministers and get things changed.

“They made some very important points about the compensation for cattle destroyed after a TB test – the valuations system doesn’t seem right.

“I was also very worried to learn of the way the EU wants to change the environmental aspects of farm subsidies which could do real damage to the successful stewardship schemes operating in England.”

Mr Luff said that he was pleased to be challenged by farmers on the subject of the Groceries Ombudsman.

“This is something I have been calling for for a long time,” he said.

“The draft bill has been published and consulted on.

“Now we need the bill to be introduced formally into Parliament and for the guarantees of anonymity to be written into the act.

“Farmers and growers will only feel safe to complain about their treatment at the hands of the supermarkets if they are guaranteed anonymity.”