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Farmers give evidence on agricultural price volatility

16 December 2015

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee continues its inquiry into price volatility and agricultural resilience by taking evidence from farmers' organisations and academics.

Witnesses

Wednesday 16 December in Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster

At 11.00am:

  • Philip Becknell, Head of Food and Farming, National Farmers' Union
  • Ross Murray, President, Country Land and Business Association
  • Paul Wilson, Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Nottingham

At 12 noon:

  • Lynsey Martin, AGRI Steering Group Chairman, National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
  • George Dunn, Chief Executive, Tenant Farmers' Association

Likely questions

  • What effect has price volatility, as opposed to low prices, had on farmers across the UK?
  • Has price volatility and the effects of it on farmers historically been a bad or a good thing?
  • Are some devolved areas of the UK mitigating the effects of price volatility on farmers better than others and what are they doing?
  • What are the main opportunities for farmers arising from price volatility?
  • Has EU and UK public policy improved or exacerbated the negative effects of price volatility on farmers?
  • What effect has the commoditisation of agricultural goods had on farmers' abilities to mitigate risks stemming from price volatility?
  • What role does innovation play in mitigating the effects of price volatility on farmers?
  • How does the impact of price volatility differ for young and tenant farmers compared to the situation for older farmers and owner-occupiers across the UK?
  • Do young and tenant farmers have access to the necessary finance?

Further information

Image: iStockphoto