A group of East Anglian farmers are flying to New Zealand on an 11-day study tour tomorrow.

The trip, which has been supported by Landskills East, has been organised as part of the Centre for Contemporary Agriculture's drive to promote the highest science and practical farm management expertise.

Led by Richard Rampton, of Easton College, the 18-strong group will meet officials from the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and working farmers in the North Island.

The farming industry now longer enjoys state support and has to compete against world producers.

The party includes veterinary surgeon Michael Bardsley, of the 3 Rivers Vet Group, of Beccles, and David Neal-Smith, of the English Food and Farming Partnerships.

The farmers include George Basey-Fisher, of Lower Farm, Carleton St Peter; James Burroughs, of Wheatacre Hall, Wheatacre, Beccles and Alan Chapman, of Dairy Farm, of Ellingham, Bungay. The Norfolk farmers include Simon Dann, of Virginia Farm, North Tuddenham and Clive Delamore, of Delamore Farms, Terrington St Clement, Jim Fletcher, of Fendale Farm, Nordelph, near Downham Market, and his father, John, of Manea, and James and Clair German, of Rookery Farm, Warboys, Huntingdon.

The Suffolk farmers include Jonathan Green, of Little Livermere, of Bury St Edmunds, and Peter Johnson, of Braisworth, Eye, and Carolyn and Richard Leggett, of Redisham Hall Farm, Ringsfield, Beccles, and also Lewis Rushmer, of Low Road, Thurlton, near Norwich, and Peter Walker, of Low Farm, Sotherton, near Halesworth.