SAC Research

The SAC/AgResearch (New Zealand) Rural Futures Conference was held on 23-24 September 2009, at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, Pollock Halls, University of Edinburgh.

Using video links, this conference explored the lessons we can learn from the different experiences in New Zealand and Scotland as we each debate the future of agriculture, rural businesses and rural communities. The purpose of this conference was:

• to share information about the policy and market challenges impacting on agriculture and rural economies in Scotland and New Zealand
• to learn from the experiences of both countries to gain a greater understanding of the policy, industry and research implications of current and future pathways for agriculture and rural development
• to highlight and discuss research that is addressing these policy and market challenges and identify the gaps
• to strengthen the relationship between SAC and AgResearch and provide a springboard to continued dialogue on futures research

Programme

At a time when the future of agricultural and rural policy within the EU is coming under greater scrutiny, the conference explored:

• the sorts of innovation in agriculture that will help meet the challenges we face
• the important cultural changes that are shaping the way the public consumes and understands agricultural produce
• non-agricultural rural futures
• how to manage the trade-offs.  For example, of increasing food production and protecting and enhancing the environment

Presentations and podcasts can be found here.

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