Land use comes into focus

The 2009 Landwards Conference in May will tackle key policy issues relating to land use as well problems in energy and biodiversity.

The event will address the perceived need to achieve more secure food supplies and to obtain more of the nation’s energy and raw material requirements from the land, while maintaining biodiversity along with providing access for amenity presents a mounting challenge for both policy-makers and land managers.

The conference will feature a keynote speech from Professor Allan Buckwell, policy director of the England and Wales Country and Land Business Association, who will set the scene and consider the policy options relating to land use.

Professor Chris Pollock, who has an extensive background in research, will highlight some of the key areas requiring further research and will speak along with David Riddle, director of land use for the National Trust.

Poul Christensen will combine his experience as a farmer, vice-chair of Natural England and non-executive director of DEFRA to chair a session concerned with individual production sectors. This will include papers dealing with mainstream agriculture and large-scale horticulture both in the field and under glass.

Paul Temple, formerly NFU vice-president, Dr Malcom Crabtree of the Leckford Estates (Waitrose Farms) and a Forestry Commission representative will also speak at the event at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester on May 7.