As UK farming looks to the future, it is vital to test assumptions and challenge accepted wisdom. At the Oxford Farming Conference in 2022 we asked: What if we already produce enough? A brilliant debate with OFC Co-chair Sarah Mukherjee and guests Sue Pritchard (FFCC), Professor Tim Benton (Chatham House) and Professor Tim Lang (City University London).

More about What’s on the menu for 2030?

The last five years have seen lots of talk about transforming food and farming, but what does this mean practically for producers?

Chair: Sarah Mukherjee, IEMA and Co-Chair, OFC

Speakers:

Professor Tim Lang, City University of London

Sue Pritchard, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission

Professor Tim Benton, Chatham House

And how can we ensure that farmers continue to benefit from a system that also delivers for UK nations in many ways, across nature, climate, health and the economy? We unpick the issues involved and ask what this could mean for the diversity and viability of farm businesses and systems across the UK. What could be the unintended consequences of certain decisions? What are the ‘no-regrets’ options governments can take, which also work for farmers and growers? And how can UK nations find a broad pathway to meeting future needs?

With Covid and the climate emergency challenging many of our most closely-held beliefs, this debate shines new light on some of the assumptions that underpin the future of farming and reviews possible routes to a truly resilient future.