Gove charms conference crowd

While the appearance of the UK’S incumbent Environment Secretary is almost taken as read at the Oxford Farming Conference, Michael Gove also managed to fit in a visit to the concurrent Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) this week.

Running for its ninth year, this alternative event has traditionally steered clear of big business and politicians, and attracts a more bohemian audience.

However, the organisers yesterday said that the marked departure was appreciated by conference goers – and a relaxed Gove’s attitude had charmed what might have been a hostile audience.

Colin Tudge, co-founder of the OFRC, said: “The Secretary is certainly saying all the things that we believe is the only way to deliver our food and farming future, such as touting the benefits and viability of small to medium mixed farms, or recognising that present-day farming is largely not sustainable nor socially desirable.”

But he said that major questions still remained for the organisers and many of those in attendance. Tudge said that although Gove was secretary of state he wondered how much power he actually had: “Given that he’s a member of a party and a government, both subject to banks, corporates and multilateral agreements, all of which must exert pressure as we go through Brexit and our various trade negotiations.”

And he added: “Defra ministers don’t stay in this job very long as a rule. And do Mr Gove’s welcome and refreshing statements represent a change of mood in government, or is he a maverick whose work will be undone?”