Maldon food producers meet shadow DEFRA MP Dr Neil Hudson

Dr Neil Hudson MP, the Conservative shadow DEFRA spokesman, visited the constituency on Thursday.

He was welcomed by Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, who introduced him to food businesses in the area.

Dr Neil Hudson and Sir John Whittingdale meeting Nick Speakman at Missing Gate Vineyard (Image: Office of Sir John Whittingdale MP)

During the visit, Dr Hudson met Paul Kelly at Kelly Turkeys in Danbury, Nick Speakman at Missing Gate Vineyard and Katie Emerson at Maldon Oysters.

Sir John said: "Maldon is very fortunate in having a wide variety of high-quality food producers.

"All face intrusive regulation from government on top of the challenges that all businesses have to meet as a result of increases in employment costs, business rates and energy prices.

Dr Neil Hudson and Sir John Whittingdale meeting Katie Emerson at Maldon Oysters (Image: Office of Sir John Whittingdale MP)

"I am grateful to Neil Hudson for coming to hear directly from three of Maldon’s most successful producers and will be taking a number of the issues raised with the new Ministers in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs."