THE National Farmers' Union (NFU) North-East regional dairy board meets in Northallerton on Thursday.

Issues to be discussed include the closure of the Dairy Farmers plant at Whitby and the success of the recent Great Milk Debate run by the Womens Institute and NFU. The meeting will also be addressed by William Prichard, dairy farmer and Nuffield Scholar from South West Wales. He will explain how he has increased his herd from 250 to more than 700 cows, and give his views on the future of the dairy industry.

Jonathan Skidmore, catchment sensitive farming officer from the Environment Agency, will discuss the Government initiative, which aims to improve water quality by working with farmers. He will highlight capital grants available to help farmers in the Ouse, Nidd and Swale, East Riding, Derwent and River Till catchments.

The meeting is at the Golden Lion at 7.30pm and is open to all NFU members.