Recently I gave a keynote speech at the Oxford Farming Conference.

In it I set out what I think the future of farming will be, touching on the three core issues of globalisation, the technology revolution and societal change.

Having launched the Agri-Tech strategy in June last year, I am passionate about making sure the UK exports its agri-tech knowledge to the emerging markets that desperately need it.
 

• Attached is a copy of my speech.


• Read the report in Farmers Weekly here.


• Read the report in Farm Business here
• Read the coverage in Farmers Guardian here

We need to take advantage of the vast sums of investment that are currently not being utilized which could help transform the UK agri sector. It is time we went to see the oil-rich states such as Qatar and ask them to invest in our sector, highlighting the value of UK agriculture products, as well as British research, knowledge, technology and leadership in agriculture.

The debate over the future of this key industry has for too long been about choosing between biodiversity and intensive farming. This is no longer the case. A progressive and prosperous farming industry enables the appropriate investment to support biodiversity whilst producing more from less.