GEORGE Eustice, Member of Parliament for Camborne and Redruth, spoke to Agriculture and Conservation students at Duchy College Rosewarne this week about issues surrounding farming and the environment.
George spoke about various topics including the Common Agricultural Policy reform, animal welfare, food security and farming in Cornwall. Students were then given the opportunity to ask George questions, they quizzed him on a number of issues including grants for new entrants to farming, bio diversity, local produce and supermarkets.
Agriculture Apprentice James Bennetts, from Helston, said: "It was really good, and nice to talk about what they can do to bring more young people into farming. Getting to speak to people like George is great because you get to think about all the different sides to farming."
Fellow student Will Lark, from Penzance, added: "George spoke about lots of interesting stuff and I feel I learnt lots. I'm really enjoying the course especially meeting people who share the same interests as me."
The talk was organised by Phil Pengelly, Course Manager for Agriculture who has known George since their days in the Young Farmers and as students, studying at Cornwall College.
Andrew Counsell, Head of Duchy College, said: "It was great to welcome George back to Duchy College, he spoke to some our students last year and we'd like to thank him for taking the time to come in and speak to our students again. They learn so much from hearing about topics first-hand."
George Eustice said "Agriculture is an industry that is going to grow in importance because a rising world population makes it essential we produce our own food. That is why it is so important to bring on a new generation of farmers and I was really impressed by the quality and knowledge of the students I met at Duchy College."
For more information about the Agriculture courses available at Duchy College please call 0845 605 0455 or go to www.duchy.ac.uk<http://www.duchy.ac.uk>