10/01/25 The Defra Secretary at the Oxford Farming Conference

With tractors protesting outside the Oxford Farming Conference, what will the Defra Secretary say to farmers?
Inheritance tax wasn't the focus of Steve Reed's speech, instead he promised a Plan for Change. He told delegates this must have three things: food production at its core, diversification of income, and restoration of nature as part of farming. He also announced speeding up the planning process for farm buildings.

In contrast to the more established OFC which has been representing the industry since 1936, the Real Farming Conference, which started 15 years ago, attracts a huge range of farming enterprises. Its conference has 2000 delegates meeting across 19 venues, and has wider scope with more smaller farms, organic and artisan food producers.
But the farmers there have similar concerns about the future of their businesses.

Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.