'Access to the countryside has so many benefits'

Constituency visits had a distinctly rural feel last week as I was out and about in the glorious countryside we are so lucky to have around us in Stroud, the Valleys and Vale.

First stop was Haresfield Beacon where I met with the Stroud Landscape Project team from the National Trust.

The land was acquired in the 1930s by community appeal and it was then donated to the trust. Around 500,000 people visit every year, so it was no surprise the team is currently looking into suggestions by local people to address parking issues along the narrow roads that lead to the main site entrance. I said I would help in any way I could as access to nature and our countryside has so many proven benefits.

It was also great to receive an update on the Stroud Landscape Project rewilding project. The team is aiming to make rewilding more accessible for landowners by supplying them with a range of information and support, including seed free of charge. However, it also understands that they must work closely with farmers to ensure that plans are both practical, so the farmers can continue to do their jobs, and the right move for rural communities.

Stroud Landscape Project is doing tremendous work helping our wildlife and environment. Many thanks to the landscape team - Lisa Edinborough, Chris Mitchell, Jonny Loose and David Armstrong from the trust.

More and more people are getting out and about in the countryside which is great news. This does cause friction too. At Haresfield Beacon, the trust has worked with mountain bikers to talk through the best routes that afford not disturbing unofficial woodland tracks. The team is also working hard to signpost and balance the use between the variety of people that visit.

When out please do use the Countryside Code. Both the National Trust and farmers have asked me to remind everyone of adhering to it. Local farmers have had to stop their businesses and cease breeding valuable livestock which is a crying shame given the expertise we are rightly proud of and export from Gloucestershire. Livestock worrying and loss of livestock from it is a real concern and reality for many farmers. Please keep your dogs under control and in sight. If in doubt, put them on a lead.

The Countryside Code can be found here: gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code-advice-for-countryside-visitors

Another recent rural event for me was one of my regular farmers' MP surgeries, this time held at Middlehall Farm in Eastington, where I was joined by the National Farmers Union.

Prior to the meeting the government announced that it was taking further steps to support farmers with cost pressures caused by demand and instability seen around the world. Direct Payments in England will be paid in two instalments each year for the remainder of the agriculture transition period, to help farmers with their cash flow. Farmers at the meeting confirmed that this was helpful and welcome.

Agricultural commodities are closely linked to global gas prices and farmers are facing rising costs for items like manufactured fertiliser, feed, fuel and energy.

I regularly speak to Defra ministers to continue championing our farming community and troubleshoot problems, as I do with all our different communities, in these challenging times.