DEFRA minister Victoria Prentice hears farmers' concerns at Sutton-on-Trent meeting

Farmers were given the opportunity to speak to a Minister of State, to raise concerns about the challenges the industry is facing.

Victoria Prentis, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, met with farmers at MP Robert Jenrick's farmers' meeting in Sutton-on-Trent.

The meeting had a good turnout, with nearly 20 farmers in attendance.

They were given the opportunity to raise their concerns about issues they are facing in agriculture and with their businesses.

Victoria Prentis said: "We talked about a wide range of issues, from pigs, to cereal, to fertiliser costs.

"We focused on the cost of production, how much [profit] goes to farmers and how DEFRA can help with grants.

"People had a lot of good, sensible ideas."

Robert Jenrick added: "Farmers quite rightly brought up the issue of food security and it is on our mind now more than ever.

"Farmers are facing huge challenges with inflation but we will help them through what will be a difficult time."

Among the farmers gathered for the meeting was NFU county chairman Bruce Ashworth, who farms near Southwell.

He said: "It is unprecedented times. At the most basic level it's the ability to continue in business with rising input prices.

"[The minister] was very open to our comments and she said she would follow up on several points.

"She is from a farming family and she is acutely aware of what we are facing."