FEARS that new farming measures place too much emphasis on the environment at the expense of agriculture were expressed at a meeting in Hexham.

One farmer claimed that Countryside Stewardship had caused such a reduction in livestock numbers on one farm that there was barely any agricultural activity left.

"What is the point of eliminating the agricultural part so much to go down the environmental road - at the end of the day we do need food," he said.

David Shaw, an officer with the Rural Development Service North-East, said a balance was necessary.

"We see agriculture as a key way of getting these environmental schemes," he said.

"Some of you may see a reduction in stock to fewer than you have been used to, but stock will be needed to manage sward height and control the rough grass.

"The quality landscape we have has been made by farmers and we need to protect them both; the two are linked."

The meeting was the second of five being held at Hexham mart by the North-East Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy group to provide information and give farmers the opportunity to discuss how to take forward red meat production.

On Thursday night last week the subjects were the new agri-environment entry level and higher entry level schemes and diversification. Other complications highlighted by farmers centred on hedgerows and walls.

Ken Hayes, also from the Rural Development Service North-East, spoke on diversification and the different grants available.

The region had been given £11m under the rural enterprise scheme and two-thirds had been spent.

The next meeting in the series is at Hexham mart on December 3, at 6.30, when the topic will be Red Meat - Working Together in the North-East.