The future of the British countryside: conservation and food production
The UK Government proposes to create a new system of paying farmers for enhancing the environment. The new payment system aims to arrest the decline in native species, the loss of productive soils and at enriching biodiversity.

Proponents argue that it will build resilience and bolster the long-term productivity and prosperity of food and farming businesses. However, the National Farmers Union says environmental payments may undermine the competitiveness of traditional British farming, increase food prices and cause a drift toward large-scale, industrialized production.

In this round-table discussion, we will examine whether environmental payments may have perverse outcomes at a national or international scale.
Date: 25 September 2018, 17:30 (Tuesday, -1st week, Michaelmas 2018)
Venue: Dyson Perrins Building, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY
Venue Details: Halford Mackinder Lecture Theatre, Oxford University Centre for the Environment
Speakers: Dame Helen Ghosh (Director-General of the National Trust), Mark Pope (National Farmers Union ), Patrick Begg (Outdoors and Natural Resources Director at National Trust), Tom Curtis (3Keel)
Organising department: Linacre College
Organiser: Dr Nick Brown (Principal, Linacre College)
Topics:
Booking required?: Not required
Cost: Free
Audience: Public
Editor: Nick Leimu-Brown