FIONA Bruce MP has asked for reassurance over funding for Cheshire farmers among the ‘uncertainty’ of Brexit.

The Congleton MP, whose constituency covers Middlewich and Holmes Chapel, spoke in the Commons on Thursday, asking Robert Goodwill MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to give assurances over funding schemes for farmers amid the EU transition.

Fiona said: “As we know, the potential of leaving the EU is creating some uncertainty so can the Minister reassure Cheshire farmers and the National Farmers Union that the current funding schemes that their members are working with will not be phased out until replacements are available to ensure that there will not be any loss of funding during any period of transition?”

Mr Goodwill responded by reminding farmers that the deadline to enter their applications to funding schemes such as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is fast approaching.

Mr Goodwill said: “We have made the decision clear with regard to the 2019 and 2020 schemes, and I remind farmers that the deadline for applications this year is May 15 as usual.

“I hope that they will get their applications in; sadly, in most years, we get a lot of applications in the last 24 hours.”