NFU conference 2009 – Farmers Weekly Interactive’s special report

Time

Event

10.30am

Opening address – Peter Kendall

10.45am

Session 1: Political

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State, DEFRA

Harsha V Singh, Deputy Director General, WTO

Nick Herbert MP, Shadow DEFRA secretary

1pm

Lunch

2pm

Session 2: Economic

Prof Charles Bean, Deputy Governor Monetary Policy, Bank of England

Dr Klaus-Dieter Schumacher, Head of Economics,

Alfred C. Toepfler International GmbH

Mark Price, Managing Director, Waitrose

4pm

Coffee

4.30-6pm

Breakout sessions

Poultry – setting our own agenda
NFU Poultry Board Chairman will explain the strategies of the board to drive the industry forward and respond to the market place.

Combinable Crops: Food, Feed and Energy
A look over this year’s activity, and priorities for the next year. The session will focus on trade and new ways of looking at grain markets, as well as the Combinable Crops Board’s policy focus on the environment science and regulation, how they affect the sector and what you need to know.

Profitable Livestock
Views from the Supply Chain: The NFU Livestock Chairman will invite representatives from the supply chain to set out their vision for a profitable and sustainable domestic livestock sector.

Dairy at the tipping point?
The NFU Dairy Team will debate with members whether the decline in production can be arrested and if so, how?

What beet growers want from the new IPA
The NFU Sugar board invites beet growers to discuss the forthcoming IPA negotiations and the state of the UK sugar industry, post reform. Hear from the Chairman of NFU Sugar, William Martin, and then have your say on the future of the industry.

Why Horticulture Matters
NFU Horticulture will explain why.

7.30pm

Drinks reception

8.30pm

Dinner

Time

Event

9-10.30am

Workshops

What does the European Parliament mean to British Agriculture?
Guest speakers Andrew Duff MEP, Liberal Democrat, Neil Parish MEP, Conservative Party and Gary Titley MEP, Labour Party.

Next Generation
NFU Officeholder meets with Young Farmer representatives.

Environment
Guest speaker Dr Paul Leinster, Chief Executive, Environment Agency, Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive, Natural England  plus other key industry speakers.

10.30-11am

Coffee

11am

Session 3: Food: Health, Environment and the Consumer

Professor Patrick Wall, Chair, EFSA
Edward Garner, Communications Director, TNS Worldpanel
Rt Hon Jane Kennedy MP, Minister of State (Farming and the Environment)                 

1pm

Close of conference

1.15pm

Lunch

2.15pm

AGM (members only)

3.15pm

Tea/depart