FAY Jones is pressing the UK Government to support beef and lamb producers.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MP told Environment Secretary George Eustice in the Commons about the importance of domestic food production.

She said that when Mr Eustice talks about rewarding sustainable farming, he need look no further than her constituency and its rolling green hills grazed by livestock - a perfect example of the virtuous circle of UK livestock farming.

In a debate on the Government’s food strategy, Ms Jones invited the minister to restate his support for the UK red meat sector.

She said that, contrary to media portrayal, it is good for our health, our environment and our economy.

Mr Eustice said environmental issues around livestock production are more complex than some would have it.

He told Ms Jones: “The truth is that permanent pasture has an important role to play in seeing the restoration of nature and the recovery of biodiversity in the farmed landscape.

“Livestock production done well, particularly in pasture-based systems, has an important role to play in rekindling that biodiversity in nature that we all want to see.”