Maria Caulfield Conservative Candidate for Caerphilly

I visited farms in Caerphilly today and talked to farmers about the difficulties they have. Electronic tagging is a big issue for them as the cost of introducing this is going to make things very tough and really has very little additional benefit for them. I heard how single payments are very important as for many farmers it is the biggest part of their income and the only way farming is viable.

This year as the lambing season is coming to a close the weather has brought additional work as because of the cold weather this year there is not enough grass for the new lambs and they are hoping the cold snap promised for next week does not materialise.

In terms of representation farmers want a louder voice from Westminster speaking up for them in Europe and while I heard how Kay Swinbourne, our Conservative MEP in Wales does a tremendous amount to support our farmers, they still feel that the Labour MP's in this area have let them down as they do not highlight enough how decisions in Europe have such an impact in Wales, compared to other countries, because of the high numbers of  farmers  per head of population compared to most countries and the impact these decisions have on the local economy.