DELEGATES at last week's Northern Farming Conference were generally impressed with the performance of new Environment Secretary Liz Truss.

She seemed to have quickly got to grips with her new brief – or at least listened carefully to her civil servants – and much of what she said won general approval.

He comments on the desirability of promoting and protecting UK food brands were particularly welcome. Export markets will become more and more important to British farming in the future, because the margins to sustain production will tend to come from premium or niche products. Quality rather than quantity will pay best.

Ms Truss's championing of the EU's protected name status for specific foodstuffs makes sense too. While the prospect of doing battle with European bureaucracy may fill farmers and producers with horror, the benefits are undeniable.

The Wensleydale Creamery put itself through the tortuous process of gaining the protected status a few years ago but its efforts are being rewarded with exports growing well. In Lancashire, Beacon Fell cheese now exports to 30 countries across four continents. Lakeland Herdwick lamb is another success story based upon protected status.

Overseas markets are gradually being becoming more accessible and Ms Truss is shortly to visit China to discuss opening up markets for British pork, beef, dairy and lamb.

Importantly, practical help is being offered. The minister said she welcomed approaches from food producers. Her department officials were prepared to help draft applications and provide guidance about the process.

Producers wanting to expand their businesses should take note