FARMING in a changing climate was the subject of the annual NFU conference held at Pershore’s No 8 on January 15, which examined how to manage water resources.
Organised by Pershore and Upton NFU branch, the event titled ‘Too much or too little, never just enough’ was attended by more than 140 and included talks from a range of notable speakers and experts.
Dr Mike Rivington of the James Hutton Institute opened the evening with a sobering projection of the impacts of climate change that organisers said left the audience in no doubt that what has been experienced over the last 25 years is nothing compared to what is on the horizon.
This was followed by NFU President Tom Bradshaw who linked these environmental challenges to food security, highlighting the fragility of food supply chains and inequities in global trade agreements.
Former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, added contemporary political insight and identified possible ways some of these issues might be mitigated.
A global context was provided by agribusiness professional Caroline Rhodes, who was visiting from South Australia.
The panellists then answered questions from the floor.
Oliver Surman, chair of NFU Worcestershire, who farms at Upton-on-Severn, said: “We need to ensure food production remains at the heart of any future water plans in the face of climate change, increasing environmental ambitions, population growth, and changes in the way people use the resource.
“While always trying to look at every situation in a positive fashion, the challenges facing not just the UK but global agriculture in the next 25 to 50 years are undeniably tough.
“The Pershore conference continues to punch above its weight and was a great way to start the year.”
The organisers are grateful for the support of sponsors NFU Mutual, Carver Knowles, Crowthers, Shakespeare Martineau and Oxbury Bank.
