The environment seem to be on everyone’s minds at the moment and so we thought we would focus this year’s conference on discussing practical ways we can improve the natural world around us.

Feedback from our last conference told us that you liked the format and so rather than tinker with a winning formula we decided to keep it the same this year. This means that there will be refreshments on arrival followed by introductory speeches and George Eustice. We will then break for more refreshments (and networking), after which we will then split into three groups for a one hour panel discussion. After the two course hot lunch there will be two more one hour panel discussion sessions followed by yet more refreshments (and networking).  We will then get back together for Mims Davies and Christopher Price, CEO of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, before an opportunity for a few drinks at the bar to end the day.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

10.15 Opening and Introduction, John Belsey/Peter Booth

10.20 Message from the sponsor, David Ward-Penny, Citipost

10.25 Welcome, Henry Smith MP

10.30 Keynote speaker Rt Hon George Eustice MP

11.00 Break

11.30 Panel Session A

• Sustainability in Farming including regenerating the land and diversification - Marquess of Abergavenny (CRF), Philip Merricks MBE DL, Hugh Broom (cattle farmer), Prof Tim Morris (Nottingham University)
• Green transport – Patrick Warner (Hydrogen Transport Consultant), Dan Watkins (Kent County Councillor), Lynsey Jones (CEN), Dr Amit Roy (Portsmouth University), Isobel Grant (Arup)
• River management including rewilding and flood prevention – Henri Brocklebank (Sussex Wildlife Trust), Dr Toby Willison (Southern Water), Claire Robertson (Oxford Rivers Project), Sam Hall (CEN)

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Panel Session B

• Using the planning system to enhance local environments – Prof Dan Osborn (CPRE Sussex), Patrick Warner (Hydrogen Transport Consultant), Vic Ient (South Downs Network), James Cullimore (CEN)
• Managing fisheries to maximise natural capital – Tim Dapling (Sussex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority), Tim Ferrero (Hampshire Wildlife Trust), Marc Nykolyszyn (CEN Oceans Champion)
• Environmentally friendly waste management - Dr Amit Roy (Portsmouth University), Dr Anthony Leonard (Biffa)

14.35 Panel Session C

• Animal Welfare – Jim Barrington (Countryside Alliance), Cllr Lizzie Hacking (Rother District Councillor), Prof Tim Morris (Nottingham University), Ben Robinson (NFU South East Livestock Board Chair)
• Nature-based carbon solutions – Henri Brocklebank (Sussex Wildlife Trust), Marc Nykolyszyn (CEN Oceans Champion) Tim Ferrero (Hampshire Wildlife Trust), Tim Loughton MP
• Carbon efficient power sources – Patrick Warner (Hydrogen Transport Consultant), Dr Amit Roy (Portsmouth University), Sarah Kostense Winterton (Chairman, The Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group), Dan Watkins (Kent County Councillor), Andrew Henderson (Natural Energy Wyre)

15.35 Tea
16.00 Green Jobs – Mims Davies

16.25 Closing speech – Christopher Price, CEO Rare Breeds Survival Trust

16.50 Closing remarks, John Belsey

17.00 Cash bar

The Sofitel is a few minutes from the North Terminal at Gatwick and there is a frequent shuttle from the train station at the South Terminal. There is plenty of parking at the airport but this can be pricey sadly.

Please email us at secpfconf@gmail if you have any special mobility or dietary needs.

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