Royal Show Debates on ’A Profitable Farming Future’

A stimulating series of debates at this year’s Royal Show will provide farmers with an excellent opportunity to gather information, network, and make their views known. Under the overall theme of ’A profitable farming future’, there will be a different debate for each day of the show. As a result of delegate feedback, the programme has been arranged to allow short punchy presentations with much more time for debate and networking. The content of the debates will also tie in with technical and other features covered by the rest of the show.

The topics for each day will be as follows:

Tuesday July 7th Food Price Dynamics – the issues and implications for UK farmers

Wednesday July 8th The Energy Gap: profiting from on-farm energy

Thursday July 9th Understanding consumers and engaging with the food chain

Friday July 10th Agriculture: a great place to work - careers for a lifetime of farming.

Denis Chamberlain, Head of Communications at the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), said: "This year’s conference programme will allow farmers, and others interested in UK agriculture, to really get involved in debating some of the key issues for the industry. Areas like on-farm energy production and local food sourcing represent huge opportunities over the next few years. We have designed a programme that will give people a chance to fully participate as well as find out more information."

The conference programme, which is free to those attending the Royal Show, will feature top speakers at each debate including:

Food Price Dynamics: EU Commission Director, John Bensted-Smith, MEP Neil Parish, NFU President Peter Kendall, Head of Bidwells Agribusiness Richard Warburton, and independent retail consultant Teresa Wickham.

The Energy Gap: Biofuel Consultant and North East Biofuels Director John Reynolds, and Dr Angela Karp, a leading researcher into bioenergy crops from Rothamsted Research.

Understanding consumers and engaging with the food chain: Ros Seals, Olympic Delivery Authority, and Henriette Reinders, Managing Director of Food and Drink from the South East.

Agriculture: a great place to work: Denis Chamberlain, Head of Communications, RASE, David Gardner, Co-op Farms, Roger Lane Nott, AEA.

Entry to the conference programme is free to those attending the show, but places are limited so it is important to register. Place will be allocated strictly on a first come, fist served basis. Go to www.royalshow.org.uk/debates to register.

Ticket offers are still available for early bird booking, including discount packages for families, students, groups and concessions.

For further information on the Royal Show or to book your tickets now visit www.royalshow.org.uk or call 0844 5811400.

- Ends -

For further media information contact:

Naomi Barry Amanda Wadlow

Ceres Ceres

T: 01189 475956 M: 07920 098498 T: 01189 475956

E: naomi.barry@ceres-pr.co.uk E: amanda.wadlow@ceres-pr.co.uk

Notes for editor

The Royal Show is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE). RASE is an independent charity with over 6,000 members including the general public and the farming community. RASE works towards a sustainable, vibrant future for British Agriculture and the rural community.

For more information about RASE, please contact: 02476 696969 or visit the website www.rase.org.uk.