FARMING leaders across the region have given their views on changes to European Union laws.

Dr Gordon Adam, the Labour Party's European spokesman on agriculture, met members of the Country Landowners and Business Association (CLA) at Morley Hill Farm, Hazlerigg, near Newcastle.

He talked to beef and sheep farmer George Ireland, the North-East chairman of the CLA, about the impact of changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) being introduced.

Dr Adam said: "The North-East is a bulk producer of cattle and sheep, and I want to see our local farmers and their associations gearing up to meet the challenge of CAP changes.

"It is important that the farming industry uses its knowledge and skills to seek out the best ways forward.

"We should not ignore the difficulties of the major reforms due to be implemented by January 2005."