KEETCH SECURES MEETING WITH FARMING MINISTER

10.47.32am GMT Wed 12th Jul 2006

Following the recent debacles over Single Farm Payments and the imminent closure of the Sugar Beet factory at Allscott in Shropshire, Hereford MP, Paul Keetch has secured a meeting with Farming Minister, Lord Rooker to discuss the challenges facing farming in Herefordshire.

Top of the priority list will be Single Farm Payments subsidies and the closure of the Allscott sugar beet factory which would have knock on affect on employment in the sugar beet industry in Herefordshire.

Commenting, Mr Keetch said;

"I am delighted to have secured this meeting with Lord Rooker - it gives me the perfect opportunity to press the Minister on the mounting challenges the farming industry is facing throughout Herefordshire.

"The Government's ineptitude in tackling the crisis with the Single Farm Payments Scheme has forced many farmers in my constituency to the brink of bankruptcy. This situation needs to be addressed. I shall be raising this and other issues with the Minister."