Environment secretary George Eustice joined me for a meeting with local farmers to discuss rural issues.
We visited the wonderful Godsells Farm run by Liz and Bryan Godsell and met them, plus another farmer David Barton and the local National Farmers Union.
It was helpful to have an opportunity to talk about various rural issues, innovations and the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
Liz also showed me around the free-range dairy farm in Leonard Stanley that also makes and sells cheese and milk and were told it had applied for money from the scheme for a new roof to prevent pollution runoff by keeping the rain off the farm’s yard.
I was really pleased the Secretary of State made the trip to Stroud to speak in person to our local farmers and to listen to their thoughts and concerns and see some of the innovation taking place.
These are changing times for agriculture following the UK leaving the EU and it’s important the minister and myself hear views from those who are our food producers and the custodians of the countryside.
I am really grateful to all those who attended and especially to Liz and Bryan for hosting us.
George Eustice said: “It was good to visit Godsells Farm yesterday and see for myself the investment that has been made in the improvement of facilities which has boosted herd production.
“The initiatives that Godsells have implemented, including a vending machine selling fresh milk and cheese, have proved very popular.
“Our new agricultural schemes will support farming businesses, like Godsells, to deliver profitable food production, with increased investment in innovation and technology.”
Gloucestershire NFU spokeswoman Katie Jarvis said: “The farmers appreciated the chance to exchange views with the Secretary of State and Siobhan Baillie on important farming issues, and to demonstrate the positive environmental gains being made through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.”
It was great to see the vending machine in action. I had heard about it during the pandemic, when the ability for local people to be able to access extremely fresh local products on their doorstep became even more important. The SoS bought some Double Gloucester cheese to take home with him too!