NFU Live 2021

The NFU's 2021 annual conference took place as a virtual event on 23 February 2021, with attendance from Defra Secretary George Eustice, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also recorded an exclusive video message for members - click here to watch.

Programme of events
 

10:30-10:45  Opening Address - NFU President

NFU President Minette Batters opens our first virtual annual conference. From flooding to the Trade Bill, the pandemic to access rights issues, this has been an unprecedented year for us all. Minette will talk through how the NFU has been working closely with government and industry stakeholders over the past year on behalf of NFU members as well as the work the NFU continues to do and has planned for this next year and the future.

♦ Read more about what the President said in her opening address, and download a copy of the NFU's Levelling Up Rural Britain report, launched at conference

10:45-11:35  Government address - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Your opportunity to hear from and pose questions to The Rt Hon George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Championing the work of British farmers and growers, Minette addresses the key issues facing the farming sector by posing your questions to the Secretary of State.

♦ Click here to see coverage of this session, where the Secretary of State announced the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot

12:30-13:30  Address by the Leader of the Labour Party

With the next general election not scheduled until 2024 the UK won’t have had a Labour government for at least 14 years. So, what can and would Labour offer farmers and growers in Britain if they come to power in the future? It’s your opportunity to hear from and pose questions to The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party.

♦ Click here to see coverage of this session, where Sir Keir Starmer told conference how he planned to back British farming 

14:00-14:45  Government address - Department for International Trade

In post-Brexit Britain, how can UK food and farming standards be protected while opening up global markets for British food? Your opportunity to hear from and pose questions to The Rt Hon Liz Truss MP, Secretary of State for International Trade.

♦ Click here to see coverage of this session where Ms Truss urged farmers to look to emerging markets in Asia for export opportunities

15:00-16:00  Trade in the future

Find out what our speakers have to say about the future of the agricultural and horticultural industry following on from the recent UK exit of the EU. How will future policies and trade deals impact the UK’s farmers and growers? This session features Tim Smith, Chairman of the Trade and Agricultural Commission, The Rt Hon Angus MacNeil MP, Chair of the House of Commons International Trade Select Committee, and Nick von Westenholz, the NFU’s Director of Trade and Business Strategy.

♦ Click here to see coverage of this session which including an insight into Trade and Agriculture Commission findings from initial discussions with parties representing farming, food production, retail, hospitality and trade policy.