How to prevent future flooding: it’s not a case of nature v people

Several storms have resulted in widespread flooding across the UK over the past couple of months, with Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland among the worst affected. Cities such as Leeds and York were forced to a standstill. We certainly can’t control the weather and climate change isContinueContinue reading “How to prevent future flooding: it’s not a case of nature v people”

Wildlife on Farms: Why should we care?

Over the Christmas period I spent a good deal of time walking on my family’s farm on the Essex coast, thinking about the future and  looking at the challenge of managing habitats and maintaining a healthy balance of wildlife on the farm moving forward. I trawled through the latest countryside stewardship options (we have been inContinueContinue reading “Wildlife on Farms: Why should we care?”

My perspective on the Oxford Real Farming Conference 2016. Why there is a need for two farming conferences at the same time in the same city.

With delayed Basic Payment, pitiful profits, environmental pressures and uncertainty over our future in Europe the stresses faced by farmers are broad and significant. It was therefore brilliant to see such optimism and pragmatism by delegates at the Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) where I spent my Wednesday and Thursday this week. There are twoContinueContinue reading “My perspective on the Oxford Real Farming Conference 2016. Why there is a need for two farming conferences at the same time in the same city.”

Paris and Ice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjTsj-fi-p0 There have been many attempts to summarise the events that have taken place at the climate talks in Paris in recent weeks so this post will not attempt to do this yet again. For those interested I suggest you visit this link. Instead, I want to draw attention to the work of the scientistsContinueContinue reading “Paris and Ice”

British Government begins discussions for a 25 year plan for food and farming

Earlier this week the UK Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Liz Truss, kick started discussions that will begin to work towards a ’25 year plan for food and farming’. This is a highly ambitious project and was one of the key food and farming pledges in the Conservative Party’s manifesto. It will bring togetherContinueContinue reading “British Government begins discussions for a 25 year plan for food and farming”