The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFU Scotland) has said its autumn conference will focus on securing a profitable and sustainable future for Scottish agriculture.
The NFU Scotland conference will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the Carnegie Conference Centre, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline.
With the recent launch of the Scottish government’s Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, NFU Scotland said it will focus on the need to secure a profitable and sustainable future for Scottish agriculture and the role of policy and regulation in delivering it
The event will see a mix of speakers in person and online who will discuss and debate what future agriculture policy will look like from a Scottish, UK and European perspective.
The event will start at 9:30a.m, with registration from 8:45a.m. It will finish up at 3:00p.m.
NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy said: “We’re delighted to have such a great mix of speakers already confirmed for our annual autumn conference which is always an excellent platform for lively discussion and debate.
“Securing the appropriate policy and regulation is key to the success of a sustainable and profitable future for Scottish agriculture that delivers for Scotland’s farmers and crofters and plays an integral part in delivering the nation’s ambitions on climate change, biodiversity and rural communities.
“It is also important we look and learn from our neighbours both within the UK, in Europe and further afield.
“The line-up for our autumn conference provides an exciting opportunity for our members to hear and question how Scotland is progressing and what other countries are experiencing, thinking and applying.”
Speakers
The first session, The Scottish policy landscape, will be chaired by NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy and will kick off at 10:00a.m on the day of the conference.
The session will feature Mairi Gougeon, the cabinet secretary for rural affairs, islands and land reform, who will discuss the role of the Scottish government in supporting a profitable agricultural sector.
Then, before taking a Q&A session, Kennedy will discuss the union’s policy priorities for a sustainable and profitable future for Scottish agriculture.
Session two will begin at 11:30a.m, chaired by one of NFU Scotland’s vice presidents.
The session, A UK perspective, will feature NFU president Minette Batters who will speak what the future for farmers in England looks like.
1:45p.m will see shadow minister for environment, food and rural affairs, Daniel Zeichner, discuss the future of agriculture policy.
Session three will then kick off shortly after at 2:15p.m, chaired by a vice president of NFU Scotland.
The European perspective session will feature Jenny Brunton of the British Agricultural Bureau (BAB) to discuss the future of EU farm policy.
Following Brunton’s presentation, Ronja Björkqvist of the European Council of Young Farmers will discuss a farmer’s perspective on EU policy direction.
