Countryfile Live has arrived in the North for the first time in the show’s history and N8 AgriFood is joining the lineup to share expertise in food and farming.
The four day event, linked to the popular BBC rural affairs series, was held in its usual Blenheim Palace home in Oxfordshire earlier this month, before making its debut in North Yorkshire at Castle Howard today.
Running until Sunday 18th, Countryfile Live features live arena shows, debates, food, drink, farm animal demonstrations, shopping and a chance to meet the programme’s presenters.
The event also includes the Time For Change Theatre, where guest speakers will debate how we can live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Speaking in the Time For Change Theatre today is N8 AgriFood’s Academic Lead at the University of York Professor Bob Doherty, pictured left. Bob is taking part in a debate entitled “Is modern farming and the food industry killing us and the planet?” alongside Yorkshire farmer Paul Temple. Bob said: “I will talk about the importance of looking at this from a food system perspective i.e. its not farmers that add high levels of sugar, salt and fat to our food.
“Farming and the Food Industry needs to play its role in achieving our Green House Gas Emission targets which will require low carbon farming approaches, and we also need to provide consumers with more information in this area.”
Also speaking in the Time for Change Theatre today, and again on Sunday, is Dr Maddy Power, right, from the University of York, who’s talk is about “Kicking the Food Waste Habit”. Maddy will be addressing the scale of food waste globally and in the UK, and why this is a problem, why there is food waste in the UK and the main sources of food waste, and what is currently being done about food waste in the UK and whether we can do more.
On Saturday, Professor Sarah Bridle, left, from the University of Manchester, will be presenting Take a Bite Out of Climate Change. Based on the N8 AgriFood funded exhibition at The Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition earlier this summer, Sarah will talk about the relationship between food production and Green House Gas Emissions, exploring which foods produce the most and how consumers can change their eating habits to support the environment.
For more information visit www.countryfilelive.com/castle-howard
