NATIONAL Farmers Union chief Minette Batters will field questions from Cumbrian farmers during a virtual event next week.

The union's president will take part in a virtual event on October 9, hosted by head of NFU Legal Panel Firm Napthens' Cumbria office, Jamie Allison.

Panellists will also include Gordon Whitford, HSBC Regional Agricultural Manager, along with NFU NW Regional Director, David Hall.

In a post-Covid world with Brexit on the horizon, the discussion will consider some key issues facing the farming and agricultural sectors in the region right now including: What opportunities has the pandemic positively presented to the UK agricultural community? How can Brexit assist and deliver a sustainable future for agriculture?What needs to happen to improve the UK’s ability to achieve sustainable farming prosperity?

And the event will hear from Ms Batters about the NFU’s key objectives on behalf of its members now and for the next few years.

Mr Hall said; "This is a great opportunity to hear direct from Minette her views on issues impacting on farmers and rural businesses in the North West and we are keen to ensure farmers questions and concerns are covered."

So, if you have a question that you would like Jamie Allison to raise please email to: marketing@napthens.co.uk no later than Wednesday,October 7 and Napthens will do their best to get questions answered. The event will be recorded and will be shared by the NFU following the session.

Meanwhile, Ms Batters says the NFU will monitor the government’s targeted approach to supporting businesses and continue to assess the impact of this pandemic on members.”