Building resilience against the current and future challenges of farming was at the heart of Thrings’ annual Agriculture Conference, which returned last week.
Welcoming more than 230 representatives from farming businesses and a wealth of other rural organisations to its sector-leading event. Leading voices from the agricultural sector shared insights on how British farming can survive and thrive in a changing world.
The keynote speakers
Held once again at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester on Friday, 6 November, the 2026 conference heard from two keynote speakers, Professor Tim Lang, Emeritus Professor at City University London’s Centre for Food Policy, and Scott Pepé, Head of External Affairs at the National Farmers Union (NFU).
A former hill farmer in Lancashire, Professor Lang has spent his career examining how food policy balances health, environment and social justice. His report – Just in Case: 7 Steps to Narrow the UK Civil Food Resilience Gap – was commissioned by the National Preparedness Commission and explored the challenges of the country’s supply chain, national risk and public guidance.
In a highly engaging talk on food resilience, Professor Tim Lang explored the findings of his report and reflected on what has changed in the 18 months since its publication, as well as what still needs to be done. He highlighted the need to move away from a model that maximises efficiency towards one that is better prepared to cope with disruption.
Meanwhile, Scott Pepé, who leads the NFU’s relationships with politicians and other key stakeholders, while raising its campaigning and lobbying profile in Westminster, explored the importance of political resilience in farming and outlined how the NFU is working with and challenging government on behalf of farmers across the country.
Farming’s future on the agenda
Joining the external speakers were members from Thrings’ agriculture team, who talked through the steps farmers should take to ensure the long-term resilience of their businesses.
This included a discussion on the importance of farming partnerships and succession planning, led by Partners Andrew Morris and Claire Davies, and an update from Ros Trotman and Kiran Maher, Partner and Senior Associate from Thrings’ Planning and Environment team, on the significant changes to the planning system and the opportunities for diversification, through the National Planning Policy Framework.
Debating farming’s future
The event closed with a panel discussion, led by Farmers Weekly Business Editor Suzie Horne, on building resilience in an uncertain world, with Tim Lang and Scott Pepé joined by Sophie Alexander of Hemsworth Farm LLP in Dorset, and Thrings’ Agriculture Partner Mark Charter and Head of Natural Capital Harvey Davies.
Drawing on the combined expertise from their farming, academic, legal and public backgrounds, the panel covered a wide range of topics from what they believe could happen if nothing changes, and what singular change would be most impactful to the sector, to the challenge of balancing food production and environmental goals, and what the opportunities and issues are for alternative uses of land.
Following the event, Duncan Sigournay, Conference Chair and Thrings’ Head of Agriculture, said: “With the wide ranging, often difficult to control challenges faced by farmers, the topic of resilience has never been more relevant to the sector, and the turnout and engagement we saw at this year’s conference reflected that.
“Farmers are dealing with climate pressures, market volatility, policy change and succession challenges, all at once. The discussion showed that there is a collective appetite to overcome them and continue to drive forward the sector. The energy in the room was fantastic, and it was great to share such honest and constructive conversations with our clients and contacts.”
Thrings’ Agriculture team is one of the largest in the UK. Trusted by farmers and the rural community for over a century, the team has experience in successfully supporting its farming and landowner clients to achieve their aims and the potential for their business. Its lawyers are ranked in the highest tier by both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories and have been chosen by the NFU to act for its members in more countries than any other firm.
Find out more about how we can support farmers, food producers and rural communities on our Information for Farmers page.
