THE farming industry will emerge from the coronavirus pandemic 'stronger', a local farmer believes.

Urswick sheep farmer James Airey, who is also a local councillor, has spoken about the disease's impact on local farming.

The outbreak comes at a key time for sheep farmers who are currently welcoming a new cohort of cute newborn lambs.

"It's very early days now but for the first couple of weeks sheep prices were very good as buyers were stocking up in response to the increased demand," Councillor Airey said.

"In the last two weeks the industry has pretty much collapsed but that's perhaps just a sign of things levelling out."

Because of the lockdown auction marts, which allow farmers to view and bid for breeding livestock, have had to close.

Although this has caused problems for some farmers it has also prompted some to look at alternatives.

"Not being able to view the animals can make it harder to value them but many modern auction marts do have online sales," Cllr Airey explained.

"That's potentially one way forward at this critical time in the breeding season as farmers look to buy breeding livestock."

At a time when the future of financially-viable farming is uncertain, and when dairy farmers face a hugely volatile market, a relieved Cllr Airey believes farming will not suffer overall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

"British agriculture will come out of this stronger," he added.

"This shown how much we need local food and that local agriculture can sustain the country."