Shropshire Council and Shropshire Business Board have emphasised their strong support for local farmers and for businesses in the county’s agriculture and land-based sector.

The agricultural sector is very important to Shropshire with over 81% of the county’s land area designated to agricultural production – one of the highest levels in England – with more than 3,500 agricultural holdings generating £170million.

“We are providing continued support for the farming industry in Shropshire and, with the NFU, we are promoting the union’s Back British Farming campaign as agriculture and horticulture remain vital to the county’s economy and our well-being,” said Steve Charmley, deputy leader of Shropshire Council and cabinet member for business.

“The dairy sector has reached a critical point where producers simply can’t continue to make such large losses. However, the issues are not just confined to dairy with many prices in other sectors at their lowest for more than five years.

“The council, Business Board and NFU will continue to harness public support, continue to fight for more British food to end up on consumers’ plates in higher value forms, and continue to press for fairer trading terms.”

The NFU and Shropshire Council have been working to ensure retailers, food service operators and manufacturers understand the impact of unsustainable prices and volatility on Shropshire farm businesses.

This work will carry on alongside ongoing discussions with the banks, agricultural supply industries and others to try and ease the financial pressure on all farmers.