Exmoor’s Farming Future

At a recent conference on Exmoor’s Farming Future hosted by Exmoor National Park Authority and the Exmoor Society, eminent speakers included Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, Dr Janet Dwyer, an independent expert on European Rural Policy, John Waldon of the South West Uplands Federation and local farmer Guy Thomas-Everard.  The conference was summed up by Dr Nigel Stone, Chief Executive, Exmoor National Park Authority.   Copies of available speeches can be viewed by clicking on the links. Please note that the views expressed in the attached speeches are those of the individual speakers and not necessarily those of the Exmoor National Park Authority and as such the Exmoor National Park Authority will not be held responsible for such views.

Rachel Thomas, Exmoor Society - Setting the Scene: The National Park Context (PDF, 15KB)

Guy Thomas-Everard -Exmoor Farming System and Response to Change (PDF, 19KB)

Helen Phillips - Towards a vision for the natural environment of the English uplands (PDF, 39KB)

Dr Janet Dwyer - Upland Farming and Policy in Europe - the road ahead (PPT, 612KB)

Dr Nigel Stone - Summary (PDF, 22KB)

Commenting after the conference, chief executive of Exmoor National Park Authority Dr Nigel Stone said: “It was gratifying to see so many of the people that care for Exmoor’s landscape at the conference and to be able to listen to such interesting and thought provoking speeches.

“The National Park Authority takes the future of Exmoor’s farmers very seriously.  Livestock grazing on Exmoor has created a landscape of extraordinary beauty, a unique cultural heritage, rich biodiversity, and a wealth of environmental goods. Farming is a way of life on Exmoor, and we are doing all we can to ensure that farming has a prosperous future in the National Park.”