Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border and veterinary surgeon, visited Myerscough College and University Centre to champion land-based education and its power to overcome challenges facing the agricultural sector and society.
The veterinary MP visited Myerscough’s main Bilsborrow Campus alongside his colleague from the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, Ian Byrne. Mr Byrne is the MP for Liverpool West Derby, where Myerscough’s Croxteth campus is situated.
Myerscough is partnered with Ullswater Community College, Penrith to ensure local youngsters are trained in important local sectors such as agriculture, animal management and arboriculture. Local youngsters can still live at home, study classroom components at Ullswater but also benefit from the vital hands-on approach taught in Myerscough’s state-of-the-art sector leading facilities with free transport provided. Myerscough is also partnering the University of Central Lancashire in opening a new Veterinary School with teaching both in Preston and the Myerscough Campus; the first intake of students is in September 2023.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, and veterinary surgeon said:
“The land-based education provided by Myerscough College and University Centre is pivotal to making sure our farming, food and countryside economies remain resilient in the years to come. Training the next generation will be at the forefront of these vital sectors, keeping the nation well-fed with nutritious, affordable and local food while nurturing our precious environment.”
“From protecting food security that sadly has come into sharp relief from the war Ukraine, to addressing workforce challenges in critical areas such as the veterinary sector, the work being done by Myerscough College and the University of Central Lancashire is crucial not just to the countryside, but to the country itself. Our EFRA Committee has highlighted the importance of expanding the veterinary workforce and it was great to discuss the exciting development of the new Vet School partnership between Myerscough and the University of Central Lancashire.”
"I thank Myerscough’s Principal Alison Robinson for inviting me - it is clear our young folk are in good hands."
Earlier this year Dr Hudson welcomed Robert Halfon, a senior Government Education Minister, to UCC to explore the work being done in apprenticeships and vocational training. You can find that here.
The veterinary MP has long-stressed the importance of land-based education, fighting for a national strategy, that protects land-based education across the nation. Training young people in vital roles will help bridge recruitment gaps in veterinary, agricultural and food processing industries vital not just for the local economy but for the health and wellbeing of the nation. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, international inflationary pressures and the pandemic having a significant impact on the UK’s food security, Dr Hudson believes land-based education is more crucial now than ever to keep the nation well-fed with nutritious, affordable and local food. Dr Hudson, alongside Mr Byrne and other colleagues will be producing a report on the issue in due course.
Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, added:
"Thank you to Alison [Robinson, Principal], and Myerscough College for a fantastic and informative afternoon viewing the campus.
‘’It was great learning about the fantastic innovative work being done from farming to sports and to have the link with Myerscough at Croxteth Park, offering young people from West Derby real practical learning opportunities.’’
