DORSET farmers are being urged to attend a special meeting to have their say on the formation of a post-Brexit domestic agricultural policy.

This meeting, led by the National Farmers Union (NFU) vice president Guy Smith, will be taking place at the Dorset County Show, which takes place the first weekend in September.

This years's show takes on special significance following the decision to leave the European Union - which subsidised UK farming to the tune of £2.4 billion last year.

The NFU, which represents 48,000 UK farming businesses, had backed the Remain campaign

Mr Smith wants as many young farmers from Dorset to take part in the meeting, saying it is vital they make their voices heard.

Dorset County Show competitions secretary Rebecca Cox said: "The Brexit decision will lead to the biggest change in agricultural policy in this country for several decades.

"It is vital that young farmers take the opportunity to get involved in the debate as it will be our generation that will be most affected by the referendum decision."

Meanwhile, NFU Dorset branch chairman Trevor Cligg, who runs 600 cattle on a 1,100 acre organic farm, said there had been "some ups and downs" since the referendum result.

He explained: "There have been some swings and roundabouts. Farmers in the county are concerned about the possibility of imported products from third countries coming into the UK which have been produced at a much lower welfare standard.

"I am also concerned about the nature of the future trade barrier controls with Europe."

James Cossins, NFU Dorset deputy county chairman, said that while cereal and oilseed prices had risen and the fall in sterling had helped boost export margins, there was still concern about the future of direct payments to farmers.

Mr Cossins, who runs a 2,200 acre dairy, beef and arable farm near Blandford, added the horticultural sector is also concerned about the supply of labour from the European Union, which is crucial for many farming operations in the UK.

The Dorset County Show takes place on September 3 and 4, with the Brexit meeting on the Saturday afternoon.