FARMERS and landowners are being invited to participate in this year’s free, online Farm Update North event which will take place on February 5 from 10.30am to 11.45am.

Guest speaker Janet Hughes, programme director of Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme, will be discussing the programme and how it will transform the way agriculture is supported and regulated in the future as part of the event. It comes at a time when the Agricultural Transition Plan is underway.

The event, chaired by Northumbrian farmer and CLA member John Cresswell, will also include speakers from Defra, Farming Advice Service, Rural Payments Agency, the Forestry Commission, Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency, and participants will be able to ask questions throughout.

Rob Cooper, catchment adviser at Northumbrian Water, said: “The Farm Update North meetings have become important and informative events in the diaries of many farmers, landowners and other interested parties, keeping them up to date with valuable information that helps them to prepare for the year ahead.

“This year will be no different, albeit using an online platform due to the pandemic, and it’s also a great opportunity for us to talk to those attendees and get equally useful insight into the issues they are anticipating.”

Basis and NRoSO points will be available. Register to attend online via www.bit.ly/2Ko6nhM

The CLA has 30,000 members across rural England and Wales and supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their land.