I was pleased to be able to welcome the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, to the Hexham constituency earlier this week, following the Cabinet's meeting in Gateshead. Mr Gove visited Northumberland National Park's The Sill and Housesteads to mark the beginning of National Parks Week, which takes place throughout this week. The Secretary of State also took part in a discussion with local upland farmers and forestry experts on the positive future for the Borderlands.
I was delighted to be able to show Mr Gove the wonderful National Park that we have on our doorstep. His visit was a valuable opportunity for our forestry experts to make the case to DEFRA for the need for more forestry and timber to support rural jobs and future prosperity, and to stress once again the importance of farming and agriculture in the Hexham constituency.
