By Anika Bourley Parliamentary Correspondent

Last updated at 14:50, Wednesday, 04 April 2012

A new organisation designed to provide a hotline between farmers in Cumbria and Government has been announced.

Cumbria and North Lancashire Farming, Food and Rural Group will join the 14 Rural and Farming Networks set up to identify and feed back local issues and concerns straight to the heart of Government, in order to make policies more rural-friendly, Environment Minister Richard Benyon announced.

The networks will include a mixture of people from rural communities, rural businesses and the food and farming industries across the area.

Mr Benyon said: “We are giving rural communities a new voice so that their interests will not be neglected by Government as they have been in the past.

“Great business ideas should never be held back by the challenges of a rural location. Rural and Farming Networks are making us aware of the problems that local businesses face so that we can tackle them and provide new opportunities for businesses to grow.”

Will Cockbain, chair of the Cumbria and North Lancashire Rural and Farming Network, said: “I look forward to chairing the Cumbria and North Lancashire Rural and Farming Network, highlighting rural and farming issues and being a part of a network of people making a meaningful contribution to these vital areas.”

Government say the group will also be a vital point of contact in the event of local emergencies, giving advice and information so that the right kind of assistance can be provided to keep businesses running.

First published at 11:30, Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk