TO BE PUBLISHED December 2024
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This conference will examine next steps for climate adaptation and net zero priorities in England’s agri-food sector.
It will be a timely opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to assess the direction of policy under the new Government, looking at implications for the agriculture and food manufacturing and retail sectors, in England.
The discussion follows Defra setting out priorities which include boosting food security whilst protecting the environment and tackling flooding - as well as the now Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs indicating at a previous Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum conference the intention to create a plan for net zero in agriculture. Delegates will also consider implications of new laws introduced to support precision breeding technology, designed to increase food production, reduce farming costs, reduce the use of pesticides and increase food security in the UK.
Delegates will assess options for supporting sustainability through the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. This follows the NAO’s recent Farming and Countryside Programme report, which found that despite a rapid increase in the uptake of payment schemes, there has been little immediate impact on achieving long-term environmental objectives within farming practices. Discussion areas include actions to improve the accessibility of ELM schemes, issues of funding and cost management, and developing relevant skills within the sector to support both sustainability and growth.
The agenda addresses priorities for balancing sustainability and productivity in the food system, setting the strategic direction for climate adaptation in agriculture, and enhancing planning and monitoring, with the CCC finding limited progress so far.
Sessions will consider concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the accessibility of measures supporting the transition to net zero in the agricultural sector. Areas for discussion include:
- priorities for standardising farm data reporting
- improving agricultural infrastructure
- upskilling the workforce to develop sustainable practices
- alternative strategies to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity, such as implementing farmland carbon storage systems
Further sessions examine next steps for decarbonising the food and drink industry to reduce emissions and meet net zero targets. Delegates will consider options for implementing low-emission energy sources to encourage carbon reduction within businesses, key issues for supporting funding and investment - including incentivising renewable energy adoption and opportunities to innovate food packaging - and unlocking new energy alternatives such as hydrogen.
Alternative approaches to decarbonise the industry and improve energy efficiency in food and drink processes will also be explored. Discussion areas include options for increasing sector collaboration, addressing concerns regarding support for long-term production planning for businesses to facilitate infrastructure, resource and space requirements, and actions to mitigate carbon emissions in manufacturing processes while preserving food quality and safety standards.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Nigel Murray, Managing Director, Booths; and Member, Food and Drink Sector Council, Defra; Richard Bramley, Regional Environmental Lead, North Region, NFU; and Balwinder Dhoot, Director, Sustainability and Growth, Food and Drink Federation. Further senior participants are being approached.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from CAFRE; Defra; DESNZ; DAFM, ROI; CCC; EA; DfE, NI; ORR; Isle of Man Government; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
