COUNTY MPs MEET HEREFORDSHIRE NFU MEMBERS AT WESTMINSTER

3.21.58pm GMT Mon 24th Jan 2005

A delegation of over 20 members of the NFU travelled to Westminster last Wednesday where they met with the County's two MPs, Paul Keetch and Bill Wiggin.

The party had the opportunity to attend a DEFRA select committee meeting briefly. They were then met by Paul Keetch who took them on a tour of the Palace of Westminster, before meeting up with Bill Wiggin for discussion on various topics affecting the agricultural community locally and for the MPs to take questions from the NFU representatives.

"I was delighted to have been able to receive the NFU members from across Herefordshire on behalf of Bill and myself and to have provided them with some background knowledge of Westminster and the workings of the House before the more formal part of the agenda began," said Paul Keetch.

"I hope that the discussions that took place were mutually beneficial - I certainly felt that the time spent was productive and a good basis to work from whether the representatives were from the north or south of the county.

"Luckily two lady members were able to be admitted to Strangers Gallery to watch Prime Minister's Questions as I had tickets allocated that day which rounded off the morning nicely." Paul added.