Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum has announced new speakers across its ‘Next steps for UK agricultural policy’ and ‘Next steps for obesity policy, prevention and care in England’ conferences.

The agricultural policy conference on Thursday 18th April will see speakers focusing on the next steps for agriculture policy in the UK, including implementation of new approaches and policy and key issues for the sector.

Delegates will assess strategies for diversification of income streams for farmers in the context of rising maintenance costs and key implications of policy changes for the wider agri-food sector, looking at food producers and retailers, the agricultural supply chain, food security, protecting the environment, investment and financing local economies.

The Forum said it would be an opportunity to discuss key issues and priorities for implementation, including securing income from participation in payment schemes, actions to support sustainable land management and the skills and engagement with the sector required to support the transition to sustainable agricultural practices across different types of farming.

Speakers include:

• Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP, Minister of State, Food, Farming and Fisheries at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Sarah Baker, head of economics for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
• George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association
• Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones, founder and partner of Agri Advisor
• James Kane, associate of the Institute for Government
• Alex Stevens, chief sustainable supply chains adviser for the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

Also speaking at the conference is Professor Paul Burgess, Cranfield University; Stephen Jacob, The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture; Anne Mair-Chapman, LEAF Open Farm Sunday; Susan Twining, Country Land and Business Association; and Adam White, Barclays.

Obesity prevention and policy

On Wednesday 27th March, the ‘Next steps for obesity policy, prevention and care in England’ conference will look at policy developments, options going forward and implications for stakeholders and population health.

The Forum highlighted key discussions to be had ahead of an approaching election, in the context of:

• Publication of the ‘Tackling obesity: Government strategy‘ alongside the ‘Government food strategy‘ white paper
• Delays to the HFSS food advertising watershed and multibuy promotional offer restrictions
• NICE approval of the use of weight management drug semaglutide as an option for treating obesity
• Publication of the Major Conditions Strategy: case for change and our strategic framework

This conference will include a keynote session from Kate Halliwell, chief scientific officer, Food and Drink Federation, and will be chaired by Baroness Jenkin of Kennington, vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity.