What future for Suffolk’s agriculture and food sector?
The future of Suffolk’s agriculture and food sector is to be discussed at a conference on Tuesday.
Industry leaders, local authorities and farmers will meet at an agricultural conference at Trinity Park in Ipswich.
It is predicted that in order to meet demand global production will need to increase by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050, whilst using less resources.
The conference will bring the agriculture and food sector together with the public sector to explore ways of developing the sector in Suffolk to meet such challenges.
Key topics include jobs and the future workforce; water and resources; planning and infrastructure, and market and supply chains
Vicky Ford Member of the European Parliament will explain the relevance of the European debate on agriculture policy to the regional development of the industry.
And John Taylor, a Suffolk farmer who will look at the ways challenges have been faced by the sector over the past 100 years and how the farming community is addressing the challenges of the present day.
Councillor Judy Terry, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “The success and growth of the county’s agricultural sector is vital not only to Suffolk but to the rest of the country.
“With both Suffolk and Norfolk combined producing nearly half of England’s sugar beet, turkeys and ducks, a quarter of all pigs and geese, and a fifth of the potatoes, vegetables, salads and peas, it is a sector that simply cannot be forgotten.
“A thriving agricultural and food sector in Suffolk can also help to rebalance the economy and deliver growth to the county.”
Chris Bushby, Executive Director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, said: “A number of challenges lie ahead, including filling the skills gap, the effect of climate change on crops, and exploring how to increase crop yield whilst protecting the land.
“However here in Suffolk we are well placed to face head on these difficulties.
“We have a good climate, large markets, a dynamic food processing sector and a world class knowledge base.
“This conference will bring Suffolk’s agricultural leaders together to help us capitalise on opportunities to guarantee a strong future for the sector in Suffolk.”
To find out more about the conference or to book a place please contact/ visit: http://suffolkfoodagriculture.eventbrite.co.uk/
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Thursday 23 May 2013
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