The Rural Forum of Buckinghamshire Council was scheduled to discuss an update from Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and a presentation on supporting landowners with tree planting. The meeting also included information items from the National Farmers Union, Chilterns National Landscape, and Berkshire College of Agriculture, focusing on rural communities' experiences of health and social care.

Update from Emma Reynolds MP

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update and forward look from Emma Reynolds MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Supporting Landowners with Tree Planting

Daniella Gray, Principal Climate Change Officer, was scheduled to deliver a presentation on supporting landowners with tree planting initiatives.

Information Items

The forum was set to receive updates from several organisations:

• National Farmers Union (NFU): The NFU was expected to provide an update on current issues affecting farmers. This included a review of the 2025 harvest, noting a significant decrease in yields across the Thames Valley and a corresponding drop in market prices for milling wheat. The report pack highlighted that the price of breadmaking wheat per tonne had fallen from £325 in October 2022 to £174 in October 2025. Livestock and dairy farmers were also facing challenges due to a lack of rain impacting grass growth, leading to earlier feeding of winter rations and a potential oversupply of milk causing price reductions. The NFU's lobbying efforts were also to be discussed, including the #StopFamilyFarmTax campaign and concerns regarding Natural England's potential compulsory purchase powers. A significant lobbying win was announced, with DEFRA agreeing to roll over Countryside Stewardship Agreements worth £80 million. Biosecurity and disease concerns, such as Bluetongue, Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), and Avian Influenza, were also on the agenda. The report pack also referenced Andersons Farm Business Consultants' Prospects for UK Agriculture report, which identified challenges such as stagflation, declining support budgets, climate volatility, trade deal impacts on agriculture, and labour and succession issues. Mark Wheeler was also scheduled to provide an update on fodder shortages, support for older farmers, mental health awareness, and the impacts of HS2.

• Chilterns National Landscape (CNL): In the absence of Nick Marriner, no update was scheduled from the Chilterns National Landscape.

• Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA): The BCA was scheduled to provide an update on its curriculum and farm operations. The report pack indicated a 100% pass rate for 42 students completing their Agricultural qualification in June, with a gentle increase in numbers for Level 1 and 2 study programmes. The college had completed its first year of the T Level in Livestock Production and was preparing for the second year. Positive feedback had been received from industry placement providers, and the college aimed to provide realistic expectations for learners. The new farm yard facilities were nearing completion, and the college intended to grow its suckler herd and breeding flock. New tractors had been acquired, and the farm area was redesigned for better access and reduced machinery movement through the main campus. The estate had experienced a challenging growing year, with efforts to balance crop and grass production for livestock while providing student learning opportunities. The college continued to rely on short rotation coppice willow for heating and was addressing the impact of Ash dieback by felling affected trees for woodchip. Alex Nelms praised Nicole Onyett's comments on converting ash dieback trees into heat, highlighting it as a strong example of a circular economy.

• Rural Communities Project (Healthwatch Bucks): Zoe McIntosh, Chief Executive of Healthwatch, was scheduled to present on the Rural Communities Project, focusing on rural communities' experiences of health and social care in Buckinghamshire.

The meeting was also scheduled to confirm the minutes of the previous Rural Forum meeting held on 16 October 2025. There was also an item for Any Other Business and the date of the next meeting was set for 15 October 2026, with a farm tour scheduled for 25 June at Church Farm, Weston Turville.