General Election: Newark Labour candidate first in talks with Newark's National Farmers' Union and presented with manifesto

Members of the Newark National Farmers’ Union have organised a series of informal pre-election meetings with candidates form the three main political parties ­— Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats.

The first was with Labour Party candidate James Baggaley, who was presented with a copy of the NFU manifesto.

Members shared an overview of their passion for farming and the importance of maintaining farming in the UK.

They also had an opportunity to discuss some of the key points in the Labour Party manifesto surrounding farming and agriculture.

Local issues discussed also included traffic in and around Newark and rural crime.

Mr Baggaley said: "It was great to meet with farmers from across the constituency and discuss the issues they face. The play a vital role in our economy and community.

“Like all our communities, they have been hit by the cuts to policing as well as the chaotic handling of Brexit by this government. Trade and access to markets is a big issue for farmers, along with other businesses in our constituency.

“This Tory government has proposed we do direct deals with the US and Australia, both countries would want access to our agriculture business and will seek to undercut our standards on animal welfare and food quality.

“In Newark, these deals would have devastating impacts on rural communities and other businesses such as sugar beet and manufacturing."

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