Farmers in the East Midlands are invited to attend a free workshop to discuss the risks and opportunities climate change presents to their businesses. 

Organised by Farming Futures, in partnership with the NFU, the event will focus on the regional impacts of climate change, what farmers can do now to prepare their businesses and focus on the opportunities provided by biomass. 

The workshop details are:

Date: Wednesday 5 November
Time: 10.00 - 13.30 with refreshments provided
Venue: Rural Training Centre, Leicestershire
Focus on: Biomass

To register, please call: 0207 324 3670 / 07825204434 

A recent survey by Farming Futures found 33% of East Midland farmers are already taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change on their farm.  Although this figure is encouraging it is lower than some other regions, so clearly more needs to be done.  

The survey results also found that more than half of East Midland's farmers believe they are already affected by climate change, and 61% expect to be affected in the next ten years. Although 44% see climate change as a risk to their business, over a quarter of interviewees feel that climate change presents more opportunities than risks. 

Farming Futures provides inspiration and information for farmers, land managers and advisors via fact sheets on every farming sector and topical issues such as anaerobic digestion, water and biomass.  All are available for downloaded from www.farmingfutures.org.uk .  Farmers can watch videos, read case studies of best practice and sign up for free events throughout the year. The events will provide ideas on how to adapt to and reduce the impacts of climate change now, whilst reducing cost and risk in the future. Farmers can also join online discussions on the Farming Futures Facebook page. 

Claire Wyatt, Farming Futures project manager said: "Farming Futures is a great resource for farmers, land managers and their advisors worried about or interested in finding out more about the opportunities and risks that climate change brings." 

"Climate change will affect us all, that's why we're inviting farmers in the East Midland's to attend a free, special event to find out more about how they can reduce costs and risks in the future. The event is on 5th November in Leicestershire, focusing on the opportunities from biomass. Our Farming Futures events, fact sheets and case studies give ideas about how to take practical action to prepare your business now for the impacts of climate change." 

NFU regional environment adviser, Paul Tame added: "Come to the Farming Futures farm walk and find out about climate change, how it might affect you and your business and the opportunities it might provide."

Farming Futures is an industry-led collaboration project between the NFU, CLA, AIC, AHRF, Forum for the Future and Defra to communicate practical action on climate change. 

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

Media enquiries to Claire Wyatt, project manager: c.wyatt@forumforthefuture.org  or 07825 204434
Journalists are invited to attend free on-farm workshops, down load fact sheets, case studies and read about the regional impacts of climate change, please visit: www.farmingfutures.org.uk or call 0207 324 3670
Farming Futures is running a series of events throughout 2008 - please see www.farmingfutures.org.uk for more information and register attendance
Farming Futures is a communications collaboration project between Forum for the Future, the NFU, CLA, AIC, AHRF (on behalf of the agricultural and horticultural levy boards) and Defra.
These results are the latest in a series of four surveys interviewing farmers about climate change, 385 farmers were questioned in each survey
Agriculture contributes seven per cent of the UK's green house gas emissions comprising of: 67 per cent nitrous oxide, 37 per cent methane and one per cent carbon dioxide
Farming Futures is funded by Defra's Farming for the Future Programme until March 2009. 

Claire Wyatt
Project Manager, Farming Futures

t +44 (0)20 7324 3670
f +44(0)207 324 3635
m +44(0)782 520 4434
e C.Wyatt@forumforthefuture.org
w forumforthefuture.org

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