RED Talks

Rural Policy Group is the home of RED Talks - Rural Economic Development Talks. The world is in a state of flux and RED Talks will address the issues rural business owners, farmers and landowners are facing. RPG and its professional partners will explore the current issues facing rural businesses, seek interim solutions and look towards the future of the rural economy and rural policy to shore up rural now and for generations to come.

RED Talks are virtual debates held on Zoom and last approximately one hour. Information and advice from a panel of politicians, business people, professional advisors and policy wonks drawn from rural industries is followed by an open floor for attendees to ask questions or offer their own contribution to the topic. It's one third us; two thirds you.

Hinxden DSC 0173
Hinxden DSC 0173

Upcoming Talks

Energy Industry Web Page 1
Energy & Industry

We take a look at the impact of the Net Zero agenda on the rural economy, how rural businesses can become more carbon neutral & why it matters, and opportunities in the renewable & sustainable energy industry for landowners. The talk will be joined by Alan Brown MP, a member of Business, Energy & Industry Select Committee and actively involved in numerous All Party Parliamentary Groups including (but not limited to) Renewable & Sustainable Energy, Energy Costs, Intelligent Energy, British Bioethanol, Marine Energy and Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage.

Register now
FPW 2 Web Page 1
Food After Brexit

As the food industry adapts to life after Brexit, we discover how terms of trade, import standards, export regulations and domestic & international food prices have affected businesses, supply chains and consumers. Has Brexit put additional strain on an already broken food system, or is it helping to heal the market? The talk will be joined by Christine Jardine, MP and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Treasury, Brexit, Europe and Trade.

Register now
NATURE ON PRESCRIPTION Web Page 1
Nature on Prescription

The healing and health-creating benefits of nature are well known, although natural therapies have traditionally been on the fringes of healthcare. However, they are likely to become more mainstream as the Department of Health shifts its gaze towards the development and roll out of preventative healthcare strategies in the wake of covid; the pandemic has shown how quasi-lifestyle factors can influence the likeliness of illness and the severity with which illnesses are experienced. This development in government thinking and our increased awareness of our health status combine to create greater demand for nature on prescription. We look at natural therapies, commercial opportunities for landowners and healthcare businesses, and how nature prescribing can be integrated with existing public and private health structures.

Register now
ELM Commercial Opportunities Web Page 1
ELM & Commercial Opportunities

The switch to the Environmental Land Management Scheme could be hard for many businesses receiving CAP payments, particularly smaller farms which may not have land available to qualify for payments under the new scheme. However, investing in ELM-qualifying features to maximise revenue for public goods can have a secondary benefit. Some of these investments can also be put to commercial use to improve the RoI and increase diversification. We investigate ELM and how to make it work for farm businesses of every size.

Register now

Past Talks

Watch some of our past talks

Our Partners