A MAJOR farming conference is to take place on the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on Thursday.

The event, being run by the Three Counties Agricultural Society in association with supply company Countrywide, will look at issues such as energy security, food security, the effect of climate change on production, the world’s changing power base, global wealth, and the carbon footprint of food production.

The idea is to unravel some of the jargon associated with policy change, environmental regulation and new technology, and bring it all down to earth for farmers in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

The conference will be chaired by Sir Ben Gill, farmer, non-executive director of Countrywide and former president of the National Farmers’ Union, who will deliver an opening address.

He will be joined by Professor David Hughes, a specialist in global food industry developments and a visiting professor at the Royal Agricultural College, and Professor Allan Buckwell, chief economist and head of land use for the CLA, who also chairs the policy group of the European Landowners.

Said Nick Vincent, Chief Executive of TCAS: “As an agricultural society, we are committed to supporting all those involved in farming and rural business in this region, particularly in tough times.”

The conference takes place in Severn Hall, at the Malvern Showground at 7pm.

Anyone wishing to book a place should call TCAS on 01684 584900 or e-mail Sue Hodgson-Jones, Education Officer, at sue@threecounties.co.uk