Young farmers from Cheshire have been to Parliament to discuss the impact of mental health issues in rural communities.
The visit saw the group meet with senior politicians from the government and shadow cabinet.
The visit was coordinated by Chester South and Eddisbury MP Aphra Brandreth, who arranged for the young farmers to meet with farming minister Daniel Zeichner and shadow Defra secretary Victoria Atkins.
“Farmers have experienced an incredibly tough few years,” Ms Brandreth said.
She added: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to raise the need to improve mental health in farming and agricultural communities in a debate in the House of Commons last year.”
“I am grateful that the minister agreed to meet with local young farmers in that debate, so they could raise their concerns directly with the government.”
Siobhan Rutter, Cheshire Young Farmers Club (YFC) county chairlady, said the young farmers welcomed the opportunity to share their views.
“Cheshire Young Farmers had the pleasure of attending the Houses of Parliament to have a meeting with MP Aphra Brandreth and the minister of state for food security and rural affairs, Daniel Zeichner, to discuss mental health in the rural community and YFC,” she said.
“We feel it has been a complete honour to have been given this opportunity to have our voices heard and view our opinions on different issues within the sector.”
Ms Brandreth said she wanted to see an integrated approach across government to tackling mental health issues in rural areas.
“My thanks go to Mike, Siobhan, Winnie, John and Mollie for representing our farming communities in Cheshire so well and for making such a passionate case for action,” she said.