CEREDIGION MP Ben Lake has been elected vice-chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for hill farming.

A launch event for the new parliamentary group was held at Westminster, in partnership with the NFU, and was attended by MPs from across the political spectrum, including the farming minister George Eustice.

During the launch event, MPs heared more about the significant contributions of hill and uplands farming in producing food, maintaining and enhancing the environment and driving the rural community.

The cross-party group presented the minister with a copy of ‘The Manifesto For The Uplands’ which calls for more funding to be made available for hill farming as well as calling on the Government to secure tariff-free access to the EU market.

Mr Lake said: “I’m honoured to have been elected vice-chair of the new all-party parliamentary group for hill farming.

“It’s vital that there is a group in Parliament to speak up for the interests of hard-working hill farmers who are so crucial both to the local economy and to the environment.

“I look forward to continue working with NFU Cymru and the FUW as well as colleagues from across the house to make sure our hill farmers get the fair deal that they deserve.”