Food production - 12 May 2022

The demand for affordable food is no different today than it was in the period leading up to the Repeal of the Corn Laws more than 174 years ago. But for UK farmers the dynamics, economics and environmental pressures of producing it are vastly different.

And following our departure from the European Union, the challenges facing UK agriculture have multiplied with the significance of increasingly dynamic global trade and the temptation to encourage cheaper produce from abroad in an effort to help curb inflation.

Meanwhile, those involved in the industry are coming to terms with the implications of a new Agriculture Act and Environment Act.

Together those will change the direction of UK farming from progressive intensification, seen over the past 50 years, to one based on sustainability with any support aligned to the provision of public goods focussed on environmental concerns, not least of which is climate change.

The fact remains: profitable UK farming and the countryside it protects are inextricably linked. It is not possible to have one of those components dominating the other. So, given the important changes taking place, this technical seminar, the fifth in a series to be organised by The Farmers Club and the British Crop Production Council, will outline the challenges which lie ahead and, just as important, consider the opportunities for UK agriculture to remain profitable and competitive in a global world of food production.

Delegate numbers are restricted and consequently registration will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.

Programme

10:30         Registration and coffee

11:00         Charman’s introduction.  Stephen Howe, BCPC Advisory Board

11:10          Paper 1: What does the future hold for UK food production? Does food security and continuity of supply driven by a profitable
                       UK farming industry remain a priority in government’s view or is it just seen by most politicians as nice to have if the Treasury
                       can afford it? Allan Wilkinson, Head of Agrifoods, HSBC Bank

11:45         Paper 2: Our route to Profitable farming and protecting the countryside. Meurig Raymond, Pembrokeshire farmer, Vice-Chairman
                       of the Farmers Club and former NFU President

12.30         Lunch

13:30         Paper 3: The prospects for home-grown production against the background of increasing dynamic global trade. John Giles,
                       Divisional Director Agri Food, Promar International

14:05         Paper 4: Dealing with changes in land use while protecting the future profitability of your farming business. The impact of the
                       2020 Agriculture Act on future trade and profitability, for professional farm businesses and the decisions to be made to maintain
                       viability. George Badger, Partner, Ceres Rural

14:40         Paper 5: The UK grain trade – underlying arable profitability. An update on global supply and demand, the implications for buyers
                       and sellers and the prospect for UK producers in the post Brexit era. Cecilia Pryce, Head of Compliance, Shipping and Research,
                       Openfield

15:10         Discussion

15:20         Tea