John Baron MP, Vicky Ford MEP, Geoffrey Van Orden MEP and Cllr Tony Hedley visit Barleylands Farm

John with Vicky Ford MEP, Geoffrey Van Orden MEP, Cllr Tony Hedley, Mr Peter Philpot and local businesses from the craft village at Barleylands Farm

MP and MEPs meet small business owners and discuss farming issues

On Friday John Baron MP, Vicky Ford MEP, Geoffrey Van Orden MEP and Cllr Tony Hedley visited Barleylands Farm to discuss farming issues with Mr Peter Philpott, and business issues with local SMEs.

John said:

“It was good to meet with MEPs to discuss the effect of EU legislation on local businesses and farmers – there is no doubting the frustration with EU regulation. My thanks to Mr Peter Philpot and his team for hosting an interesting visit.”

Mrs Vicky Ford said:

“British farmers were already leading Europe in what they do for the environment but these new one size fits all rules are a bad deal for food, farming and biodiversity. At Barleylands young and old are able to learn about farming history and farming future. Unfortunately, the EU is sending us backwards.”

Mr Geoffrey Van Orden MEP said:

“It is British Conservative MEPs that are driving the process of change in the EU – we understand the frustration of people across Essex but we emphasise that we are the only Party with both the desire and the ability to bring about the changes that people so clearly want. Others may talk, but they have no power to deliver. We are also most conscious of the needs of our local farmers. They haven’t had a fair deal from the EU, some of the new rules are barmy, and there is uncertainty about when they will be introduced. Conservative MEPs fight for the interests of our farmers and our citizens who appreciate the quality of the food produced locally for them. Peter Philpot and his family have made an enormous contribution to the local community and the work Peter is doing to help educate young children about food and where it comes from deserves applause.”