The future of UK agriculture: balancing food security and environmental stewardship

Agriculture sits at the heart of some of the biggest challenges facing the UK today. As the country navigates the impacts of climate change, shifting trade policies, biodiversity loss, and food security concerns, how can we create a farming system that is both resilient and sustainable?

Join our expert panel as we explore the evolving landscape of UK agriculture and the difficult, but essential, balance between feeding a growing population and protecting the environment.

Meet our speakers

Professor Neil Ward is Professor of Rural and Regional Development at the University of East Anglia. His work examines the political economy of the countryside, food systems, and environmental policy.

With decades of experience in agricultural policy and rural sustainability, Professor Ward offers deep insight into how UK agriculture can navigate the challenges of feeding the population while meeting environmental obligations.

Vicki Hird is the Strategic Lead for Agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts, where she champions nature-friendly farming and sustainable food systems. With over 25 years of experience in food, farming, and environmental policy, she has held senior roles in NGOs and government advisory groups.

A Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and author of Rebugging the Planet, Vicki brings a passionate, science-informed perspective on how UK agriculture can thrive while restoring biodiversity and ecosystems.

Professor Dan Bebber is Professor of Biosciences at the University of Exeter, specialising in plant pathology and food security. His research explores the impacts of climate change on crop diseases and the implications for sustainable agriculture.

With a strong focus on the intersection of ecology and food production, Dr Bebber contributes to shaping agricultural practices that support both productivity and environmental health.

Jennifer Dodsworth is a Research Fellow in the Agile Initiative at the Oxford Martin School. Jennifer is a social scientist with expertise in cultural geography, environmental governance, and agri-environment policy.

As both a researcher and a tenant hill farmer in Cumbria, Jennifer also aims to integrate first-hand experience of land management into her research, ensuring her work remains grounded in the realities of rural livelihoods.

Chaired by Martine Croxall, a presenter with BBC News Channel and a Fellow of the Society.