HILL FARMERS are critical to the future survival of the Lake District National Park and its recognition as a World Heritage Site.

That's according to the organisers of an event being held at the Lakeland Livestock Centre in Cockermouth next Wednesday (December 12), where they hope to hear what support is going to be available to preserve traditional hill farming in the region.

The National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority and Mitchells Livestock Auctioneers and Valuers are behind the initiative, as the Trust’s Farming Adviser Will Cleasby explained: “Farmers, and their centuries old traditions of hill farming, are one of the reasons why the Lake District National Park became a World Heritage Site. For this to continue farmers need support in a time of unprecedented challenge for the industry.

"As we leave the European Union subsidies will be replaced by payments rewarding farmers for delivering public benefits,” he continued. “With less than 13% of UK farmers under the age of 45, there has never been a more important time to identify what help the next generation of farmers in Cumbria and the Lake District need,” he added.

David Hall, the NFU’s Regional Director commented: “Focussing on the next generation of future tenants is a great idea. We all need to ensure we equip them with all the skills required to run a successful farm business from business planning and people management, as well as traditional skills.”

Also attending the meeting will be the National Trust’s assistant director for the North of England, Jeremy Barlow, who has said that the Trust remains committed to doing whatever it can to support a future for all its working farms in the Lake District, with farming and conservation working together and traditional breeds thriving.

The meeting is being held in the Fairfield Restaurant at the Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cockermouth at 7pm. Booking is essential – those interested are asked to contact Glynis Carr on 01912558651.