GUY Opperman has said 'landmark' new legislation will reward farmers in the district and beyond.

Farming in the UK will be governed by the new Agriculture Bill, instead of the EU led Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), following Brexit.

The new legislation has taken a further step through the Parliamentary process, following its approval at the report stage.

Hexham’s MP said the legislation would reward farmers for improving air and water quality, animal welfare standards, creating better access to the countryside, and introducing measures to reduce flooding.

Mr Opperman added: “This is a landmark, once in a generation, piece of legislation. It lays the foundations for high quality British produce to make a real impact in the global market place. This Bill also sets the agriculture and farming sector at the vanguard of the nation’s efforts to tackle climate change.”