The relationship between farming and the environment after Brexit will be under the spotlight at a Conservative Party Conference fringe event next week.

The event, hosted by the CLA on 4 October in Birmingham, will see Farming Minister George Eustice MP examine farming and the environment outside of the EU with RSPB Chief Executive Mike Clarke and CLA President Ross Murray, in a panel discussion chaired by EFRA Select Committee Chairman Neil Parish MP.

The event will take place in the context of the CLA’s New Opportunities briefing papers which set out the case for a UK-specific Food, Farming and Environmental Policy to succeed and better the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as the RSPB’s involvement in the recent State of Nature report which linked farming with nature loss in the UK.

The CLA represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses. CLA President Ross Murray said: “In past weeks a number of different visions for the countryside post-Brexit have been put forward. The CLA panel discussion at the Conservative Party Conference creates an important platform to discuss how farming can be more profitable while capitalising on new opportunities to improve the environment.

“It is the landowners and farmers across the country who manage woodlands, plant new hedges, sow wildflower seeds, create beetle banks, manage excess water, provide access and so much more. If post Brexit policies do not ensure that farming remains viable, it will not just be the rural economy and local communities that suffer but also the delivery of land stewardship and environmental improvement work.

“Brexit provides a unique opportunity to establish a long term, world-leading Food, Farming and Environmental policy that delivers better outcomes for our environment while also ensuring a resilient farming sector. I look forward to discussing the opportunities and challenges with the Farming Minister, Chair of the EFRA Select Committee, and RSPB Chief Executive Mike Clarke.”

‘How do we support farming and the environment outside of the European Union?’ will take place on 4 October starting at 5.45 at the Hyatt – Soprano room.

CLA President Ross Murray will also be speaking about the future of forestry at a Confor event on 3 October (4pm – 5.15pm at the Birmingham ICC in Executive Room 7)

CLA Director of Policy Christopher Price will be speaking at a Conservative Rural Affairs Group event on 3 October (12 – 2.30pm at Austin Court, Brindley Place B1: Lodges 1 & 2).