 |  | The Stoneleigh-based RASE (Royal Agricultural Society of England) has joined forces with Oxfam, Sustain and the Midlands Co-op for a one-day conference on Friday, 14 March.
Delegates will be there to discuss food, from the perspective of farmers from the UK and beyond as well as environmental groups and retailers in an attempt to solve many of the problems farmers face around the world.
The conference aims to discover whether farmers face the same problems no matter where they are, whether fair trade works for everyone and what the real impact of subsidies are.
听"Farming and food issues always seem to be making headlines," said Angela Lea of RASE.
"This conference will look at the real substance of the issues behind the headlines and, for the first time, will bring together international and local views."
Sheila Dillon of 大象传媒 Radio 4's Food Programme is the keynote speaker and will be joined by Phil Bloomer of Oxfam, Vicki Hird of Sustain and UK dairy farmer Andy Welford to set the scene. Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael MP will hear the issues raised by the conference in the afternoon.
| 听 |  | Drought is just one of the topics to be discussed
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Delegates will also be able to take part in workshops, which will look at a number of questions, including:
- Can a global free market work?
- Where does local and regional food fit in a global agricultural system?
- Is a global co-operative possible?
- What is the impact of dairy subsidies?
- Could there be a global, sustainable, agricultural system?
- Can a global free market work?
- Where does local and regional food fit in a global agricultural systeem?
- Is a global co-operative possible?
听Eliot Whittington of Oxfam said, "Whichever way we turn, we can't ignore food.
"Whether it's the millions of people facing starvation in developing countries, or the overwhelming choice on UK supermarket shelves, food is always a topic for debate.
"This conference will help to draw parallels between approaches and issues and make links between farmers and consumers around the world."
For information on the conference and how to book a place, call 0121 609 4102 or email Oxfam using the link on the left.
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