This year’s Welsh National Farmers’ Union (NFU Cymru) conference is set to feature discussions centred on climate change and agriculture’s net zero aspirations.
The event, titled ‘Welsh farming – Producing for the future‘, will take place on Thursday, November 2, at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells.
The conference will kick off with an opening speech from NFU Cymru president, Aled Jones, and an address and Q&A with Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths.
The second session will then focus entirely on climate change and agriculture’s net zero aspirations.
Discussions will be led by the head of land, agriculture and nature at the UK Climate Change Committee, Dr Niki Rust.
Rust will be joined by future leaders fellow at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and senior lecturer in environmental data analytics at Cranfield University, Dr Michelle Cain.
Trade and consumer trends
The conference’s third session, focused on trade, will be led by partner at Flint Globally, Sam Lowe, who will provide commentary on the outlook for Wales in the global marketplace.
After a break, food and drink industry analyst Prof David Hughes will make a return to the conference to give insights into consumer trends and behaviours.
The final session will see NFU Cymru president Minette Batters take to the stage to provide her thoughts on what the future holds for UK farmers.
Speaking on the event, NFU Cymru director John Mercer said: “Each year we manage to attract the very best speakers to NFU Cymru Conference and our 2023 line-up promises to be one of our best events to date given the high calibre of speakers who have agreed to join us this year.
“The Agriculture (Wales) Act has paved the foundations to develop new devolved policy here in Wales and the Sustainable Farming Scheme will shape Welsh farming for many years to come.
“Given the anticipated changes to the policy landscape, Wales’ place in the global marketplace and the industry’s ongoing climate change challenges, I believe our expert line-up of guests will help inspire and inform those who attend.”
Mercer said the conference is a popular event among the union’s membership and encouraged interested members to confirm their attendance as soon as possible.
