News
18/01/2010 11:43:42Oxford Farming Conference - Knowledge Network reports.
The Oxford Farming Conference, which took place in early January 2010, addressed the huge challenges faced by the industry.
These challenges affect every country in the world - how to feed a global population of 9 billion by 2050 with less land, less water, less oil and greater climatic extremes whilst minimising the impact on the environment.
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, launched the Government’s food strategy'Food 2030' which sets out goals for 2030, and the changes that need to be made to achieve them.
The findings of the latest Oxford Farming Conference commissioned research into future agricultural science needs were also presented. Undertaken by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, dairy nutrition company Volac and the IGD, the research identified that farmers, scientists, the food industry and the Government must work more closely if UK agriculture is to increase production while protecting the environment.
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, launched the Government’s food strategy'Food 2030' which sets out goals for 2030, and the changes that need to be made to achieve them.
The findings of the latest Oxford Farming Conference commissioned research into future agricultural science needs were also presented. Undertaken by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, dairy nutrition company Volac and the IGD, the research identified that farmers, scientists, the food industry and the Government must work more closely if UK agriculture is to increase production while protecting the environment.
Papers presented at the 2010 Oxford Farming Conference:
Professor John Beddington, - The key issues for agricultural science
Rt Hon Hilary Benn, - The future of food
Phil Bloomer - Food for the world
David Brownhill - Getting it right in Australia
Grant Gordon - Family businesses and succession
Nick Herbert, MP - A new age for agriculture (paper not available)
Fiona Lamotte - Science in practice for seasonal crop production
Professor David Leaver - Oxford Farming Conference Science research findings
Dr Matt Lobley - Putting the succession challenge into an agricultural context
Stan McCarthy - From the Kerry farm to the global consumer
Mercer Family - Getting the next generation involved
John Parker - Markets and prices in the global economy
Dr Cees Veerman - Future challenges for the CAP
Professor Patrick Wall - Food safety and supply
Dr Andrew West - Food supply and New Zealand's strategic response
More information about the 2010 conference, presentations and details of the reserach findings are available on the Oxford Farming Conference website.