Defra secretary to address OFC amid industry challenges

Defra secretary Steve Reed will address the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) on Thursday 9 January, as the farming sector faces mounting pressures from policy shifts, economic uncertainty and environmental challenges.

Mr Reed’s appearance comes at a pivotal moment for UK agriculture.

Traditionally a platform for unveiling new year policy initiatives, the OFC will provide him 10 minutes to outline his government’s vision, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session chaired by OFC chairman Geoff Sansome.

However, Farmers Weekly understands there will be no significant update on the government’s controversial farm inheritance tax policy – a contentious issue causing immense anxiety among farmers, who fear the policy will cripple family farms and damage domestic food production.

See also: Farmers Weekly teams up with Oxford Farming Conference

Instead, Mr Reed’s address is expected to focus on the “New Deal for Farmers”, a strategy emphasising economic growth, food security, and nature recovery, aligning with the conference’s theme, Facing Change, Finding Opportunity.

Sources suggests he may also touch on land use strategy and innovations in food production.

Following Mr Reed’s session, BBC Radio 4 Farming Today presenter Charlotte Smith will chair a session that features perspectives from devolved UK administrations, large estate managers, and small-scale tenant farmers.

Mr Sansome highlighted the importance of focusing on opportunities amid challenges.

“This conference recognises the massive change in the industry.

“I’m looking forward to hearing how Steve Reed perceives the opportunities for farmers and how Defra policies can enable these,” he said.

However, industry leaders are pushing for more decisive action.

Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), urged the government to collaborate closely with the sector.

She said: “The secretary of state must listen, really listen, to the industry and work with us to develop a plan to grow the rural economy – not force it into recession.”

Lively debate

Adding to the event’s appeal, the iconic OFC Oxford Union debate will tackle the motion “This house believes UK agriculture needs more grazing livestock, rather than fewer, to be truly sustainable.”

Professor Jude Capper and Rob Havard will be speaking in favour, and Henry Dimbleby and Colin Ferguson against, with the debate promising lively and insightful discussions.

Meanwhile, the Oxford Real Farming Conference, running in parallel at Oxford Town Hall, will delve into themes crucial to sustainable agriculture, offering a complementary forum for shaping the future of farming.