A successful conference, focused on opportunities for agriculture post Brexit, was held by the Farmers’ Union of Wales at the Members Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground on Thursday, October 6.
The Wales Farm Conference included Economist, Politician and Member of the ‘Vote Leave’ group of economists, Warwick Lightfoot, HCC-Meat Promotion Wales Export Market Development Executive Deanna Leven, Steve Keyworth Founder and Director of Environment Systems, Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and Nuffield Scholar Aled Jones, Chief Officer for AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Tom Hind and Welsh Government Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe, as speakers.
Chairing the conference was ITV Wales News and Current affairs journalist Catrin Haf Jones, who also led the discussion panel sessions.
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(l-r) Economist, Politician and Member of the ‘Vote Leave’ group of economists, Warwick Lightfoot, HCC-Meat Promotion Wales Export Market Development Executive Deanna Leven, Steve Keyworth Founder and Director of Environment Systems and Conference chair - ITV Wales News and Current affairs journalist Catrin Haf Jones, who led the discussion panel sessions.[/caption]
Speaking after the conference, FUW President Glyn Roberts, said: “I would like to congratulate FUW staff for organising such a fantastic conference for us.
“It provided much insight as we explored the many aspects and opportunities for agricultural growth in a post-Brexit world, and I would like to thank the speakers and all those who supported the event for their contributions.”
The topic itself could not have been more pertinent, given that the Prime Minister, Theresa May, recently announced that she would notify the EU of the UK's intention to leave between January and March 2017, beginning the process of formal negotiations over the terms of exit.
Mr Roberts added: “It was great to see many non-FUW members attending the Wales Farm Conference - the room was filled with people who shared our enthusiasm for knowing more about what is to come, sharing their ideas and thoughts and I am glad we were able to provide a platform that builds on our and their knowledge base, helping us all to grasp and identify the opportunities we now have from different angles.
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(l-r) Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and Nuffield Scholar Aled Jones, Chief Officer for AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Tom Hind, Welsh Government Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe and Conference chair - ITV Wales News and Current affairs journalist Catrin Haf Jones, who led the discussion panel sessions.[/caption]
“The speakers did a fantastic job in provoking some new thoughts, all of which will help in building the right picture for the future here in Wales and across the UK, putting the importance of agriculture at the top of the agenda. The way forward in achieving what is right for us can only be achieved through continued information sharing, listening to different opinions and continued learning.”