Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani has held a meeting with Wealden representatives of the National Farmers’ Union, listening to their concerns about rural crime and discussing the importance of buying local to reduce carbon emissions and support British produce.
Almost three quarters of land in the East Sussex constituency of Wealden is farmed, and directly employs over 2,300 people, contributing to the £1.25 billion generated by farmers across the South East annually. Wealden countryside is home to many exceptional family farms that play a key role in producing some of the best British products enjoyed in the UK as well as overseas.
Nusrat has long been a champion for Wealden farmers, working with local press on a campaign advocating for Wealden supermarkets to focus on offering customers more of our quality, sustainably sourced local produce.
Concerns about the increase in various rural crimes, especially theft and livestock worrying were also raised at the meeting. Dog attacks on livestock alone cost the farming sector £1.3 million last year. Nusrat routinely holds meetings with Sussex Police and continues to work with them on a multi-agency response to tackle rural crime in Wealden.
Nusrat Ghani said: “It was a pleasure meeting Wealden’s NFU representatives again and I will continue to work with them and the Sussex Police to prevent rural crime which is so damaging to the sector.
“I am proud that we have a thriving and dynamic rural economy in Wealden and I will always work to support our local farmers. They are entrepreneurs on whom we depend, and it is our responsibility to fight for their interests and to behave in a way that makes their businesses sustainable – buy local products. Buying local, from environmentally responsible sources, will reduce the environmental footprint as well as boost UK economy.”
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