The South West Uplands Seminar: Future of our Farmed Uplands?

The closing date for registration is Friday October 22 and the costs is £5 for those with a holding number or £20 for those without. Further details and registration information is available from

Marilyn Stephen, Centre for Rural Policy Research

Tel. 01392 722438. Email: m.a.stephen@ex.ac.uk


The Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR) together with the South West Uplands Federation (SWUF), and with the active support of Devon County Council, the NFU, RSPB, Natural England, other agencies and NGOs is extending an invitation for people to participate in a one day seminar on the distinctiveness and future of the South West's farmed uplands.

The South West Uplands Federation and the Centre for Rural Policy Research (University of Exeter) are convening this one day seminar to take forward the CRC's upland inquiry and present new research findings on farming in the southern uplands. It will be an opportunity to celebrate the distinctiveness of the region's uplands and to explore the opportunities to reward farmers for delivering the 'seven wonders of the
south west uplands'.

SWUF and the CRPR wish the seminar to be an upbeat event celebrating the region's distinctive uplands and working towards a positive future, whilst at the same time recognising there are issues that need to be addressed by government and by organisations and businesses in the uplands.

We would like to invite you to attend the seminar and join in the discussions. We are conscious that the date is quite soon after the Spending Review bt we have invited Jim Paice to come to update us on the effect of that on hill farming and the public assets which it sustains.

Other speakers will cover the distinctiveness of the SW uplands, the CRC's upland inquiry and new research findings on farming in the southern uplands. There will also be statements from farmers from each of the three uplands of the SW. There will be ample opportunity for discussion and celebration of the distinctiveness of upland farming in the south west.

The event will be held on October 29th at Westpoint, the County Agricultural Association's showground, just outside of Exeter.