THE National Farmers Union (NFU) have been in attendance and supported the Launceston Agricultural Show for many years and this year they were joined by president Meurig Raymond.

The president met with NFU members during the show and was able to discuss with them issues such as the future of agriculture in a post-Brexit UK and the continuing problem of low prices across all commodities.

During the show the NFU team undertook what has been described as their biggest consultation exercises in the union’s history. They asked members for their opinions on the direction they think British farming should take as the country prepares to leave the European Union.

Ahead of his attendance at this year’s Launceston Agricultural Show, president of the NFU Mr Meurig Raymond said he was ‘looking forward to hearing what NFU members had to say’. He added: “The vote in favour of Brexit has resulted in an opportunity for the NFU and its members to engage with government and shape a profitable and productive future for farming.

“I am confident that our farmer members at the show will have thoughts on how post-Brexit farming in this country should be — and the NFU, as always, is committed to listening to its members and making these thoughts count.”

Also in attendance at this year’s show was county advisor Patrick Aubrey-Flethcher.

The Post spoke to Cornwall County Advisor for the NFU, Mr Aubrey-Fletcher, about how the show was going, he said: “It has been a really good show for us, we have had a lot of visitors to our stand and have also spoken to MP Scott Mann.

“The national president is here today and has been able to walk around the show and speak to members about the issues facing the farming sector. The NFU have supported the show each year as it is a good local agricultural show.

“We have always been happy to support it and it is good to see such a large attendance this year. The weather has surprisingly been of help with attendance as those who would usual be out cutting silage or doing necessary farm work haven’t been able to and so have had chance to come along to the show today; it has been great to meet all of them.”

When asked about their meeting with Mr Mann, Mr Aubrey-Fletcher said: “It is always good for us to keep in touch with the local MP as it gives us the ability to put across the issues facing our local members.

“We have the chance at this show to get in direct contact with members of the faring community, which enables us to find out more about the impacts on local members and the agricultural sector — which we are then able to relay back to our local MP.”

When asked what he had been doing during his visit to the show Mr Mann (Conservative) told the Post: ”I’ve been wandering around meeting all the local businesses and visitors at this year’s show and have also been able to have a meeting with the National Farmers Union.

“We discussed some of the challenges facing farmers post-Brexit and also spoke about ideas for agricultural policy for the UK.

“It has been great to be able to hear from some of the local farmers about their views and hopefully we will be able to go forward and help our local farmers in these uncertain times.”