Click here for a link to listen to interviews with the chairmen and women of all the debates and presentations at the Strutt & Parker Game Fair Theatre.
Friday
10:15 CLA President's Debate
A Coalition for the Countryside: Can politics deliver for the rural economy?
A look at the challenges facing the countryside and what the coalition government plan to do to deliver the full potential of the rural economy.
Chair: Charlie Brooks, Telegraph columnist
Panel: William Worsley, CLA President
Richard Benyon, Defra Parliamentary Under Sectretary of State
Lord Cameron of Dillington
11:20 The Daily Telegraph Debate
Killing foxes, culling badgers or protecting birds. What should the new Government do first to help the countryside?
The Tories promised to overturn the ban on hunting and the Lib Dems pledged to back a badger cull where scientists say the animals are spreading disease to cattle. Both sides claim they can protect birds by making sure farming is more 'environmentally friendly'. But as budgets are slashed what should the new Coalition's spend money on first?
Chair: Geoffrey Lean, the country's longest serving environment correspondent and a consulting editor and columnist on the Daily Telegraph
Panel:
Jim Paice, Farming Minister;
Peter Kendall, President of the National Farmers Union;
Mark Avery, Director of Conservation at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds;
Douglas Batchelor, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports;
Jim Barrington, a consultant to the All-Party Parliamentary Middle Way Group on hunting;
Pauline Kidner, founder of the Secret World animal sanctuary and the UK's most famous 'badger rescuer'.
12:20 Presentation of The CLA Game Fair Media Awards.
The CLA Game Fair Media Award to a member of the non country sport media will be presented to Valerie Elliot, former Countryside Editor of The Times.
The CLA Game Fair Country Sport Media Award will be presented to Robin Scott, Editor of Sporting Gun Magazine .
Presented by Vincent Hedley Lewis, Chairman of the CLA Game Fair.
14:00 The Country Life Debate: Does Britain need Farmers?
Has traditional agriculture had its time? Should our land be put to their uses now that food can be produced more cheaply elsewhere? Or does the need for food security mean that we need our farmers to be as productive as ever?
Chair: Rupert Uloth Features Editor Country Life Magazine
Panel Lady Apsley, Women's Farmers Union
Sandra Bell – Friends of the Earth
The Right Hon. John Gummer, Lord Deben'
Adam Henson – Rare Breed Farmer and BBC Countryfile Presenter
15:00 Countryside Alliance:
Urban Fox, rural fox: the case for management?
The urban fox has been in the news following an attack by a fox on twin babies in Hackney. Is there a case for managing the urban fox population, or is the situation different in cities than it is in the countryside?
Chair: Simon Hart MP
Panel includes:
James Barrington - Animal Welfare Consultant
Dr. Nick Fox - Zoologist & Wildlife Consultant
Garrick Hawkes - Urban pest controller
16:00 Duty or altruism: Are landowners the solution to the sustainability of rural communities or the problem?
The need for affordable rural housing is at an all time high and likely to grow. The coalition government is proposing new possibilities for rural communities to address the needs in their areas. Will landowners rise to the challenge or stand in their way?
Chair: David Fursdon, former President of the CLA and former member of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission
Panel: Richard Benyon MP, Defra Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, William Worsley, President of the CLA, Ian Bell, Fund Director for ARC Addington Fund
Sue Chalkley, Chief Executive, Hastoe Housing Association
Saturday
10:15 The CLA Debate
Thriving or Theme Park: Our countryside in 2060?
A debate about what the countryside is really for and what it might look in 2060
Chair: Harry Cotterell, CLA Deputy President
Panel: Adam Henson, Farmer and Countryfile Presenter
Lembit Opik, ex MP, comedian and countryside lover
Katherine Seal, NFYFC,Agricultural and Rural Affairs (ARAC) chairman.
11:30 Why does angling have such a difficult time getting on terrestrial TV?
Angling had been given a wide birth by terrestrial television for a number of years, but recently we have seen a number of programmes hit our screens. What’s changed and why was angling treated so badly in the past?
Chair Paul Knight - Chief Executive Salmon and Trout Association
Panel: Bernard Cribbins,TV and Film Personality and keen angler
Hugh Miles
Des Taylor, Angling writer and leading angling personality
Charlie Jacoby – Fieldsports tv
Mark Lloyd – Chief Executive Angling Trust
12:30 Awards
Arthur Oglesby Award
To be presented to Hugh Miles, internationally acclaimed award winning wildlife film-maker and passionate angler who filmed 'Passion for Angling' and 'Catching the Impossible'
The Fred Taylor Award for Environmental Stewardship
The Angling Trust and The CLA Game Fair are honouring Fred Taylor's memory with an annual award for environmental stewardship of water habitats in England
14:30 Lead Ammunitions Group
A brief progress report on the Lead Ammunition Group followed by Questions and Answers
Chair: John Smith with Adrian Gane (CLA), Mark Avery (RSPB) and Rob Gray (CA)
The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs' (NFYFC) Farm Business Development competition awards ceremony
Prizes presented by Greg Bliss, Chairman Tenant Farmers Association; Katherine Sealy, Chairwoman NFYFC Agriculture.
Judges: George Dunn, Chief Executive TFA; Clive Beer, Head of Professional Services; Dick Mason, Agricultural Policy Director LTSB Agriculture.
15:15 Have your say
Hear a selection of 18 - 25 year olds air their passions on Countryside and Country Sports issues.
Gabrielle de l'Escaille President Young Friends of the Countryside. The challenges Europe is facing with regards to food production and the need to use GMOs to tackle this issue going forward.
William Hillgarth Member Young Friends of the Countryside Active. The role of country sports in the countryside and argue that they play a major role in the sustainable management of the countryside
Nathan Little runs a shoot and is a shooting and countrysport enthusiast. Young shots-The Next Generation. The important role of the young shooting "fraternity" to keep the fire of fieldsports burning anf keep the young shots keen and willing to fight for the sport.
Milly Wastie Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Challenges and oppurtunities facing the industry from a young person's perspective
Rory Colacicchi
The Key Impacts on Salmon and Trout Fishing
16:00 Muddy AfFair
Hosted by Apprentice finalist Claire Young, the lighthearted dating show will see a couple of eligible country bachelors take their turn to try and impress a group of gorgeous country girls, with a view of taking one of them on a date at the end of the show.
16:45 Vodka O sponsored Drinks for 18 - 25s
Sunday
"The Children's Trust invite you to come and enjoy some traditional fun for all the family at this classic Punch & Judy show! FREE performances start on Sunday at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm in the Game Fair Theatre. Plus throughout the day there will be entertainment, fun, games and activities with all proceeds going to The Children's Trust. Don't miss out on the fun!
The Children's Trust provides care, therapy and education for children with multiple disabilities, complex health needs and acquired brain injury."
