FARMING Minister Mark Spencer has been visiting Cumbria this week to meet with upland farmers working and living in one of England's most iconic landscapes.

The minister travelled to the county to meet farmers in the Lyth and Winster valleys in Cumbria, and met with those from across the Lake District and Pennines at the J36 Auction Mart today (Wednesday).

The visits followed on from a roundtable discussion with upland farmers and representatives from farming organisations in London last month.

Detailed plans for government's Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) were announced earlier this year, with over 130 actions in all schemes applicable to upland farmers across moorland, grassland and upland peat options.

Upland farmers can also benefit from the new Higher Tier capital offer, which will fund farmers to carry out works to prepare for habitat creation and restoration.

READ MORE: Minister in debate on the detail of English support schemes

Reflecting on his visits, Mr Spencer said: “Upland farmers do a brilliant job as the custodians of some of our nation’s most important and iconic landscapes.

“Not only do they produce some of this country’s finest produce, but they do so while looking after terrain that draws tourists from around the world to support local economies and habitats which are critical to wildlife.

“It has been a privilege to hear directly from them about the work that they do, as well as to listen to the challenges they face and where they need support.

“I look forward to continuing to hear from farmers over the coming weeks as we make sure that our improved Environmental Land Management schemes have a compelling offer for every type of farmer to support them to produce food sustainably while protecting and enhancing the environment.”

Defra will also soon be opening another round of applications for the Landscape Recovery scheme. Upland farmers and commoners are already involved in some of the 22 projects receiving funding through the first round of the scheme.

Alongside these schemes, upland farmers who work on national park land, accounting for 74 percent of all upland areas, may also benefit from the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme which has been extended by another year.