Latest news with #TimFarron
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ending sheep farming in the Lake District is not our aim
Phil Stocker's letter (12 June) defends sheep farming against an attack that doesn't exist. Nowhere in the Guardian article he is responding to (Conservationists call for Lake District to lose Unesco world heritage status, 7 June) does anyone call for 'sheep farming's demise'. Neither the letter I sent to Unesco nor the report that I co-authored, both referred to in the article, call for it either. Instead, we're raising concerns about the Lake District's world heritage site designation, which poses a major threat to exactly the sort of adaptation that Mr Stocker says he wants and that most farmers know is coming. None of the farmers I've spoken to could name a single benefit of being in a world heritage site. Most people won't be aware of the downsides, but for those of us working in conservation, they are obvious. The designation is influencing decisions by the national park authority, which views every element of the park's management through a world heritage lens and puts sheep farming first, often at the expense of rural livelihoods and nature. We are not attacking farming or anybody's culture, and it's a pity that this is how Stocker and many others, including the MP Tim Farron, have interpreted it. For farmers and conservationists to be at loggerheads is madness. Once the dust settles, I hope we will be able to sit down and have some sensible discussion about these issues and how to resolve them. As Mr Stocker attests, farming has played a key role in the history of the Lake District, and it will have a vital role to play in its future, but only if it is allowed to adapt. Removing the world heritage site designation, or amending it to reflect the urgency of the climate crisis, will help that transition to take SchofieldBampton, Cumbria Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
No update to A66 dualling plan in Spending Review
No new details were announced in the Spending Review about the future of the A66, which runs across northern to dual the road between Penrith in Cumbria and Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire were put on hold indefinitely by the government in 2024, citing a "black hole" in public Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said he was "deeply disappointed and frustrated" over the lack of new to a question in the Commons from Farron, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the decision over the scheme would be made by the Department for Transport at a later date. She said: "We haven't set out every project that that's going to fund today and I'm sure the transport secretary will come to this House or the relevant select committee in due course." Follow the latest reaction to the Spending ReviewKey points: What has the chancellor announced? Farron said the road upgrade scheme was "critical for the north's economy, for east-west connectivity, and for saving lives"."I will keep up the pressure for ministers to approve this massively important project," he MP for Penrith and Solway Markus Campbell-Savours said it was "vital" the upgrade was approved."This isn't simply about quicker journeys, this is about safety and economic development," he the 2024 general election, the Conservative government was moving ahead with plans for sections between the A1(M) and Penrith, but Labour put the project on hold alongside a number of group Transport Action Network (TAN) previously claimed the scheme would cost £1.5bn and increase carbon emissions by 2.7m tonnes. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram
BBC News
11-06-2025
- BBC News
Plea to drop 'abused' Lake District Unesco world heritage title
A conservationist is campaigning to get the Lake District's world heritage status revoked, claiming too many tourists are damaging the land. Ecologist Lee Schofield, who owns farmland near Haweswater, has written to Unesco saying the area is being "abused" by increased tourism, second-home ownership and unsustainable sheep area was given the status by the United Nations agency in 2017, with its beauty, thriving farming businesses and inspiration for artists and writers being praised. Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said losing the status would be a "hammer blow" to tourism and farming. Unesco has been approached for comment. The Lake District was the 31st place in the UK and overseas territories to be put on the heritage list, joining the likes of the Grand Canyon, the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu. About 18 million people visit the area each year, spending a total of £1.2bn and providing about 18,000 is home to England's largest natural lake - Windermere - and highest mountain - Scafell Pike. Mr Schofield said: "Some areas need a rest, maybe for quite a long period of time to allow the habitat to recover again and then it will be able to support more livestock again in the future. "The designation is also really damaging in terms of tourism, it's a much bigger contributor to the rural economy than farming is but it reaches a point when it has a really damaging impact on wildlife and the communities that live in these places."He also said there was a "massive problem" with second-home ownership driving up property prices, meaning locals could not afford to buy homes. Julia Aglionby, professor of protected areas from the University of Cumbria, disputed the claim there was "over-tourism".She said it was important it was managed properly and that was the role of the "hard-working" Lake District National Park Authority. Hannah Wadsworth, who helps run Lakeland Maze Farm Park, near Kendal, said the status had boosted her said: "The World Heritage Status has been really helpful for us bringing people into the farm park."If it was to go it would be really unfortunate and [we] would really struggle to maintain our livelihood."Other UK Unesco sites include Stonehenge, Durham Castle and Cathedral, and the city of Bath. Farron said he was against the campaign and that it was a "misguided and poorly judged attack" on hill said: "Stripping the Lake District of the status and removing sheep from the fells would be hammer blow for Cumbria's tourism and farming sectors - both of which are utterly vital to our economy. "It would also be damaging to our heritage and diversity."Mr Schofield added: "I'm one of many people who have raised these concerns - this is not a personal campaign, I'm certainly not alone in this." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Guardian
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Cheaper imported chicken and beef increasingly seen in UK supermarkets
Cheap chicken and beef from Australia, Poland and Uruguay is on the rise on UK supermarket shelves, according to the National Farmers' Union, as supermarkets look for money-saving options. The NFU regularly monitors supermarket shelves and notes that Morrisons is now selling raw chicken from Poland in its poultry aisle. Chicken in Poland is generally produced to different standards from those in the UK, and is cheaper to produce as a result. Morrisons requires that for its UK chicken, poultry must be kept at a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2, giving the chickens more space to roam. In Poland, this is up to 39kg/m2. The retailer has also begun to sell sirloin steak from Australia, made possible, according to NFU sources, by the unpopular trade deal struck by Liz Truss with Australia. Australian beef, like Polish chicken, is generally produced to different animal welfare and environmental standards than meat in the UK. Feedlots are commonly used and, according to the RSPCA in Australia, the country is ranked D for farm animal welfare compared with B for the UK. The supermarket sponsors the TV show Clarkson's Farm and frequently reiterates its commitment to British farmers. Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, said: 'This is appalling from Morrisons. They seek kudos for their UK sourcing but then sneakily do this, undermining British farmers and undermining their own integrity and brand.' Other supermarkets are also sourcing meat from farther afield than previously. Asda is now selling sirloin and ribeye steaks from Uruguay, priced much lower than their UK counterparts. They are priced at £21.94/kg and £23.70/kg respectively, which is about 20% less than their UK and Irish beef, priced at £27.93/kg for sirloin and £28.81 for ribeye. Stuart Roberts, a beef, sheep and cereal farmer from Hertfordshire said: 'With farmers under pressure from multiple directions I'd be fascinated to learn why Asda have decided this is an appropriate time to start stocking Uruguayan beef. There is no excuse for this huge betrayal of the UK's hard-working family farms. Consumers and farmers deserve better.' Sainsbury's has also been found to be stocking beef steaks from New Zealand. Supermarkets said they were doing this to offer 'outstanding value' to customers. The cost of red meat has soared in recent months, with UK farm gate beef prices at 713.3p/kg on 3 May, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), a 43.8% year-on-year increase. The AHDB predicts that beef production will fall by 5% in the next year due to a decline in farming profitability and an expected cut to subsidies. The NFU livestock board chair, David Barton, said: 'It's deeply concerning to see major retailers now move away from their previous commitments to sourcing British … in favour of imports many of which have been produced to lower standards. Farmers' longstanding partnerships with retailers have supported sustainable supply chains, so this shift is alarming. 'Decisions to renege on sourcing commitments erode trust and damage farmer confidence at a time when the sector is facing immense challenges and, with increased global insecurity, the need to build sustainable food supply chains has never been more important. 'British farmers have invested in higher standards such as reducing antibiotic use in beef and lowering poultry stocking densities in sheds. But delivering these standards comes with additional financial costs. Long-term sourcing commitments from retailers are essential to ensuring that the high welfare British food consumers want remains available.' A Morrisons spokesperson said: 'Morrisons remains 100% British on all our meat counters. In our aisles – alongside our New Zealand lamb – we are introducing trials of some imported meat from trusted suppliers to help us offer outstanding value through the seasons and through any supply fluctuations. 'We are proud to be the single biggest direct supermarket customer of British farming and are looking to grow the overall volumes of British meat through Myton Food Group.' An Asda spokesperson said: 'We always look to offer customers a wide choice of products to suit all budgets, and the country of origin is always clearly labelled on pack so customers can make an informed choice about their purchases. Grass & Grill steaks are provided by a branded partner and available in our stores for a limited time only. All of Asda's own brand fresh beef continues to be sourced from farms in the UK and Republic of Ireland.' Sainsbury's has been contacted for comment.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Calls for 'lifeline' bus cap to remain in place
Calls are being made for a "lifeline" cap on bus fares to remain, as the government prepares to announce its spending Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale in Cumbria, asked transport minister Heidi Alexander to commit to keeping the £3 cap to ensure people could "actually afford to get to work".The minister said any plans for bus fares would be announced on Wednesday, but she was "fully aware" of the importance of an affordable bus Nesbitt, 40, who lives in Kendal and works at Grasmere Gingerbread, said he noticed his bus to work had been much busier since the cap was introduced. The sales and merchandising manager said: "You definitely see more people on the buses now than you used to before the price cap came into play."It's quite a remote place to work in, Grasmere."It's not that far in mileage, but just in terms of day-to-day travel, anything that makes it as easy as possible and isn't causing a financial strain is something that should be welcomed."Farron told the transport minister that, before the price cap came in, the bus journey from Kendal to Ambleside was the second highest in the said with many people on low income working in Cumbria, high bus fares meant they could spend up to a quarter of their salaries on transport. 'Ease congestion' Mr Nesbitt said if the bus cap was to be removed his bus journey to work would be unaffordable."Going back to what it used to be - about £7 a journey or £50 a week for a pass - I just don't think I'd be able to sustain that long term," he said."Salaries do vary, but at least [the bus] is a lifeline that people can use to actually get here. "It's a job - you've got to take the job where you can get it."The Conservative government first introduced a cap on bus fares in 2023, meaning people would never pay more than £2 per single Labour came to power last year the new government chose to continue to fund it for 2025, capped at £3. Farron, a LibDem MP, said he would like to see the cap lowered to £2 again, to make transport "even more accessible."He said: "By making the bus fare cap permanent, we can help people with the cost of living, ease congestion on our busy roads, support struggling local businesses, and reduce our carbon emissions."Alexander said the £3 cap currently only applied to one in six journeys because people who used buses regularly to go to work used weekly or monthly passes, rather than buying single added: "I am fully aware of how important it is that people have an affordable bus network, that they have access to buses."That is something that I have been discussing a lot over recent weeks with the chancellor and we will be making making our announcement in due course."Government plans on the bus fare cap are expected to be announced on Wednesday. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
