UK Organic Producers’ Conference

When:
February 1, 2017 @ 10:00 am – February 2, 2017 @ 3:30 pm
2017-02-01T10:00:00+00:00
2017-02-02T15:30:00+00:00
Where:
Conference Aston
Aston University
Birmingham
B4 7ET
Contact:
The Organic Research Centre

11th Organic Producers’ Conference

 

Rising to the challenge: Practical organic farming solutions for an uncertain future

ORC’s annual Organic Producers’ Conference is the event where organic and other producers interested in ecological approaches to sustainable food production come together with researchers and advisers to share ideas on making agriculture perform better, for their businesses and society.

Without question, the Brexit referendum result has opened up a significant debate about the future of agriculture in the UK, and the place of organic food and farming within it. It’s also created huge uncertainty for producers and other organic businesses, in terms not only of access to and continuation of conversion and maintenance support, but also how exchange rates and regulations might change and the impacts that will have on both domestic markets and export opportunities. Research and other organisations supporting organic businesses are facing similar challenges, as access to European funding for research, promotional and other initiatives comes into question.

How can we rise to the challenges which Brexit represents? Can we make our work and businesses more resilient to the changes that will take place in the next few years? What opportunities will the new situation present that we should be welcoming with open hands? What should we be asking of policy-makers to ensure a vibrant organic community in future, delivering both environmental and other public goods, as well as contributing to the economic wellbeing of the UK? Can we build bridges with others facing similar challenges and aspirations?

As usual we have a range of practical technical sessions, on the themes of; business/markets, arable, horticulture, grassland/livestock, and food/farming policy post-Brexit.