THERE are many groups in the constituency with which I make a particular effort to stay in regular touch, as they represent essential cornerstones of our local economy or public services.

I am therefore grateful to the NFU this week for facilitating the latest of a series of round table discussions with south Wiltshire farmers.

In recent weeks, I have been aware of discontent caused by a surge in illegal hare coursing. Farmers tell me that, in addition to the worry caused to them and their families by trespassers, the perpetrators often leave a trail of destruction in their wake, such as broken fences, churned up tracks and damaged crops.

While the problem is common to many rural constituencies, the solution lies uncomfortably between jurisdictions – rural policing, appropriate sentencing by the courts, recommendations made by the Sentencing Council and the range of available dispensations set out in legislation.

In recent weeks, I have had a number of conversations on the topic with the relevant Home Office Minister, Victoria Atkins, and am pleased to have persuaded her to receive a visit from South Wiltshire farmers in January so that they can make their case for legislative change.

Once Brexit moves us away from the Common Agricultural Policy, we have a rare opportunity to design a domestic agricultural policy that is tailored to the needs of our society, economy and environment.

Ministers have published the Agriculture Bill and a number of amendments are due to be debated in the House of Commons.

Principally, the government proposes to move to a system of paying farmers public money for public good - namely environmental protection and enhancement.

I know from my postbag that a lot of constituents have a passionate personal interest in very different aspects of what this may entail – be it promoting pollinators, maintaining footpaths or advancing cutting edge agricultural methods.

I am all for rewarding environmental best practice but I am clear that any regime of incentives will work best and do the most good if it is embraced by farmers.

That means it needs to be responsive to local concerns and be conducive to producing top quality produce, which is, after all, what farmers do best.

I look forward to a stimulating discussion on these and other topics and to working to secure the opportunities farmers need to get their voices heard in the important discussions that lie ahead.