SHEEP farmers must defend themselves against single interest groups.

Mr David Smith, chairman of the National Sheep Association, spoke of the plethora 0of such organisations, many of which criticised farmers.

"In many cases they decry the farmer, particularly in the hills and uplands, for overgrazing and the decline in birds," he said.

"To the RSPB the red grouse seem of little importance, but all of a sudden black grouse are very in and sexy."

When wolves were re-introduced and foxes unable to be tracked by dogs, who would explain to them that it was all right to take red grouse but not black grouse.

"If they take our lambs, that will be OK, as poor farmers are of little account, their sheep overgraze the land and are seemingly the cause of ever-decreasing bird populations," said Mr Smith, who farms at Haydon Bridge, near Hexham.

"This is the Alice in Wonderland world we live in, with all these organisations on a never-ending quest for the panacea of the idyllic country garden.

"Behind all these organisations lie money, power and politics, a very dangerous cocktail for us, the true guardians of the countryside, to fight.

"But fight we must, to defend ourselves with the infinite examples of the constructive, sustainable, well balanced management of land we have practised for many generations."

Mr Smith, who stood down as chairman of the NSA northern region at the meeting, spoke of the honour of being elected national chairman in August.

He was thoroughly enjoying his term of office, which at times had not been easy, and he thanked farmers in the region and further afield for their support.

He had not been very well over the last couple of months and knew how easy it was to become depressed.

"Many farmers work long hours, often in arduous conditions, very often on their own, with no one to discuss or share a problem with," he said.

"So give your neighbour a ring, just stop and have a chat, call in for a cuppa or have a drink with them. It will most probably enlighten and improve your day, as well as theirs."

l Officers. - At the agm, Mr John Reed of Lands Farm, Westgate in Weardale, was elected chairman.

Mr Reed, who is 41, is a former chairman of the North of England Mule Sheep Association and was this year head steward of North Sheep 2000.

Mr Malcolm Corbett, aged 49, of Dyke Head, Rochester, near Newcastle, was elected vice-chairman.

He is chairman of Northumberland County NFU and produces lamb and beef on his farm, which lies between 800ft and 1,200ft above sea level within the Northumberland national park.

Mr Tom Bowman of Garth Fields, Lazonby, Cumbria, was re-elected treasurer.

Mrs Julie Sedgewick of Binchester Hall Farm, Bishop Auckland, continues as secretary.