A S part of a wider South West Uplands Initiative, a new team is now in place to "deliver activity" in the Bodmin Moor area.

Funded by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), the team's role will be to work with everyone with an interest in livestock production within the project area to develop and administer a strategic action plan for the livestock sector on Bodmin Moor.

It will also work with the farmers to help them access the funding and support available from the RDPE.

The project – the Bodmin Moor Livestock Initiative – will be led by Edward Nancekivell, supported by Clare Lea, the project administrator. Mr Nancekivell has been involved in the livestock industry all his life, having grown up on the family farm in North Cornwall. He completed a degree in agriculture at Seale Hayne in 1998. Since then he has held posts in the livestock industry, both in primary production and further down the supply chain.

On taking up the post he said: "I am thrilled to be given the role as co-ordinator of the Bodmin Moor Livestock Initiative. Representing the livestock producers on the moor will be an honour and a challenge. With the support of the steering group and my background in the red-meat sector, I am sure over next the four years I can make a strong and positive impact on the beef and sheep producers of the moor."

Mrs Lea joins the team having extensive knowledge of the office management and administration of funded projects in the agricultural sector, as she previously worked on the Objective One-funded Dairy Collect Project.

The Bodmin Moor Livestock Initiative will be run by the Cornwall Development Company as part of the Cornwall Agri-food Council Development Team and will be based at offices at Helland. The team will work closely with a local industry steering group which will help to guide and shape the work of the team.

David Rodda, senior co-ordinator for the Cornwall Agri-food Council, said: "The extra support provided by the team recognises the challenges faced by livestock producers on Bodmin Moor and it provides the livestock sector with its own dedicated resource to support its farmers in developing their ideas and aspirations for the future.

"Farming in upland areas faces its own set of challenges and issues, but I am very enthusiastic about what the team can do to address these challenges and I hope that producers in the area seize this opportunity."

For more information about Bodmin Moor Livestock Initiative phone 01208 892803.