Food For Thought At Hampshire Farming Conference

The important role of agriculture in the economic future of the country has taken centre stage at this year's Hampshire Farming Conference , organised by Hampshire County Council.

The annual event supported by the Hampshire Economic Partnership, saw experts from the world of farming share their perspective on the issues currently affecting the industry. Farming is the largest manufacturing sector of the UK economy employing four million people.

National Farmers Union

With a keynote speech by President of the National Farmers Union , Peter Kendall, the conference offered representatives of the farming industry valuable insight into a number of wide ranging topics. The subjects covered included farmers having to cope with the impact of a struggling economy, planning constraints, threats to the workforce supply, the future of farming in the light of issues such as European directives, shrinking dairy herds and the ongoing threat from animal disease.

In particular, Peter Kendall's speech commended the implementation of Hampshire County Council's Rural Strategy - an action plan that is being developed to meet the needs of rural areas now and in the future. Following consultation with agriculture and rural industries, it focuses on issues such as:

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supporting sustainable rural communities, affordable housing and rural broadband
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providing effective rural transport
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farming, food and access
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economic development
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the effects of climate change
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renewable energy.

Views On Farming

In his address, Peter Kendall called on the Government to change its view of farming across the UK, warning that for too long, the industry had been marginalised and undervalued. He said,

"We are in unprecedented times economically and whatever happens, the Government is going to face severe restrictions on spending.

"As agriculture we need to make a strong case for our role in the economic future of the country. The challenges ahead for the economy are enormous and farming is central to meeting those challenges."

Hampshire County Council Executive Member for Rural Policy, Councillor Ray Ellis, said:

"Farming has, and is continuing to face tough times with many farmers struggling to make a decent livelihood. This conference has given farmers a chance to step back and share their success stories and share tips from industry experts in dealing with the matters affecting their trade. Hampshire County Council is committed to supporting rural communities and has over 60 tenant farms, with the objective of providing an introduction to farming and as exemplars of good farming practice."

Paul Kinvig, Chief Executive of the Hampshire Economic Partnership Rural Economy Task Group, said:

"We are delighted to support the Farming Conference in any way that we can. The event was an opportunity to engage with the farming community and ensure their needs and issues are addressed by the organisations best able to help them."

Hampshire County Council Media Centre
For media enquiries please contact: Jon Sharkey , Media Communications Officer Corporate Communications Team Tel: 01962 846028.

For more details visit : Hampshire County Council

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