04/06/2008 by Steve Barclay.

Moving between farms today, as I started Sunday morning as the first guest at the Open Farm Sunday - although it is a hive of activity from those setting up when I arrive.

Local farmer and former NFU County Chairman Philip Bradshaw has kindly invited me along and there is much to see.  A host of local suppliers (the meat from Moor Farm looked particularly good), and an opportunity to discuss farming and a number of related businesses (bee keepers are having a particularly tough time at the moment).  There is also a lot to do around the farm, including a drive around the farm and a chance to understand more about the crops and machinery, trying to milk a pretend cow, to educational issues such as the different types of mustard seed or types of potato.  Despite the weather large numbers are soon turning up, and this sort of event is an invaluable way for families to find out more about farming.  There are insights into the various crops, the different types of machinery, and this chance to chat first hand with those producing the food that we eat.  I hope this event will be repeated as there is a real need for more people to understand more about how great food is produced locally.  We need to get across better the message that our quality local produce needs to be supported in the shops.  It proves a really successful event.

Then I head off to another farm, that of our Association Chairman Cllr Pam and Ralph Potts for the annual Coates branch BBQ.  Well over 100 present, with a quite magnificent array of food.  In fact it is a bit of a struggle to find parking given the turn out.  It is pleasing to see the association in such very good heart (being up in the polls clearly helps!), and today is a chance to chat with members and guests about their thoughts and hopes for the year ahead.  Labour Governments always run out of money, and this one is no different (it just took longer to get there after following Conservative spending plans for the first two years) but they have still managed to run out of money and are now intent on borrowing more and more.  After my speech I even manage a win in the raffle! 

At the Coates branch bbq with MP Malcolm Moss, Leader
of Fenland District Council Cllr Geoff Harper and Association
Chair Cllr Pam Potts

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15/03/2008 by Steve Barclay.

Meeting local farmers today provided an insight into the key issues impacting farming in the constituency - not least DEFRA’s bureaucratic incompetence. A case in point is the challenge they described in trying to plan their budgets.  Farmers in England (unlike those in Scotland in the Prime Minister’s own constituency) do not know when they will receive the payments they are entitled to from DEFRA.  One had been forced to pay a fee for an overdraft due to DEFRA’s delay, only for the money to finally arrive the next day with the overdraft fee already paid.  A host of other issues emerged and with so with so much experience around the table it was a great chance for me to learn more. An Open Farm Day is planned for Sunday 1st July which will be a chance to get out on the farm and learn more.

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