ENVIRONMENT Secretary Owen Paterson has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for this year’s Northern Farming conference.

Now in its fifth year, the theme is Which Way Forward? It will take place at Hexham Mart on Wednesday, November 12.

Andrew Robinson, conference chairman, said: “Attracting the Secretary of State is a great start for the conference and underlines how it is now firmly established as a significant event in the national farming calendar.”

Mr Robinson said the agreement of a new Common Agricultural Policy brought with it a range of uncertainties for farmers and land managers, not least of which is the renewed focus on environmental schemes.

He said: “Factors such as advances in technology and the increasingly volatile weather are also affecting farm businesses and will all be covered with a strong emphasis on practical support and advice.”

The full line-up of speakers will be announced later in the year.