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Cambridge Global Food Security

An Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge
 

One-day conference organised by @FEED – a new University of Hull inter-disciplinary research grouping

Towards New Farming and Food Systems: Sustainable Intensification and Food Democracy

Pavilions of Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate

Farming and food production have to react to new policy developments where discourses of sustainable intensification and food and energy security are becoming increasingly important. New technologies have been identified as part of the solution to deliver these goals. But these technologies raise significant concerns, for example in relation to environmental protection and the governance of agriculture and food. This one-day conference explores the scientific, technological, environmental, social, economic, and legal aspects of changing farming and food landscapes. The conference will bring together scientists, UK and international scholars, NGO representatives and other stakeholders. It will be relevant to academics, managers, land-owners and policy-makers working on food related issues and agriculture across the UK and beyond.

 Key questions discussed at the conference include:

 Who decides the future of farming?

  • How can sustainable intensification and technologically-driven strategies in agriculture meet public demands for food democracy?
  • How can stakeholders engage with one another?
  • What is the role for multilevel governance in a more diverse farming landscape?
  • Three themed panel discussions will focus on specific contemporary challenges: food production and consumption; animal ethics and welfare in the context of new technologies for livestock; and multifunctional agriculture.

 This conference is organised by the recently established @FEED Research Centre (Agriculture, Technology, Food, Environment, Energy and Democracy) based at the University of Hull.

 @FEED undertakes exciting, cutting edge research to develop resilient food and energy systems, which are democratically justified, can adapt to climate change impacts and promote environmental and biodiversity protection and conservation.

 Confirmed speakers at the conference include:

Les Firbank, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, School of Biology, University of Leeds

  • Geoff Tansey, Food Ethics Council
  • Christopher Price, Director Policy and Advice, Country Land and Business Association
  • Brian Jack, School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast
  • David George, Business Manager, Stockbridge Technology Centre
  • Patrick Holden, Founder and Chief Executive of the Sustainable Food Trust
  • Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Advisor, Compassion in World Farming
Date: 
Thursday, 11 June, 2015 - 09:00 to 18:00
Contact name: 
Dr Ludivine Petetin
Contact email: 
Event location: 
Harrogate