Young farmers across the country have discussed their ambitious plans for the future of farming as part of a next-generation conference organized by the UK's four farming unions.
Topics on the table ranged from access to land and financing, the impact of food and energy security on the next generation, as well as farmers' responsibility toward reaching net zero by 2040. The conference was held jointly between the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, and Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU).
NFU Director of Policy Andrew Clark opened the conference before representatives from each next-generation group discussed the future of the farming industry with NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw. Describing the challenges facing young farmers, NFU next-generation forum chair Eveey Hunter highlighted the impact of food and energy security on future stability for the agriculture sector.
She pointed towards climate change as a significant hurdle that the next generation would also need to take on. "It was vital to bring a renewed sense of determination to how we will tackle these issues within our sector as the next generation of farmers," she said.
"I am confident that with the right support from government and industry to help the next generation and new entrants to farming, we can continue to provide high-welfare, nutritious food for the nation, provide jobs for people across multiple skills and sectors while protecting and enhancing our environment."
Read the complete article at www.farminguk.com.