Past meetings of the standing conference on countryside sports
Meeting date venue themes
| Date | Venue | Conference Theme | |
| 89th | 18th May 2023 | ‘The Future of Field Sports in an Urban Society’ Panel Debate with: George Bowyer of British Hound Sports Association Stuart Singleton-White of Angling Trust Rob Yorke, rural commentator Matthew Watson of Savills | |
| 88th | 3rd November 2022 | ‘Regrettably the countryside has become low on the political agenda in our urban society. How can this be reversed?’ Presentations by: Rt Hon Lord Benyon of Defra Ian Coghill, conservationist and author Jamie Blackett, farmer, journalist and author | |
| 87th | 12th May 2022 | ‘Farming without Chemicals?’ Presentations by: James Clarke of Rothamsted Research Rt Hon George Eustice MP of Defra Clare Bend of Origin Enterprises Mark Dewes of Agrii | |
| 86th | 4th November 2021 | ‘What are the Implications of the National Food Strategy for the Management of Rural Land’ Presentations by: Victoria Prentis MP of Defra Henry Dimbleby of National Food Strategy Dr Andrew Clark of NFU | |
| 85th | 13th May 2021 | An Update on Shooting Issues. Presentation by Liam Stokes, Chief Executive of the British Game Alliance. ‘Is countryside policy increasingly, and disproportionately, being influenced by single issue pressure groups?’ Presentation by Mark Tufnell, Deputy President CLA.Presentation by Liam Stokes, Chief Executive of the British Game Alliance. Presentation by Neil Parish MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Efra Committee. | |
| 84th | 12th November 2020 | Changes in Rural Land Use over the next decade. Presentation by Emily Norton, Head of Rural Research Savills. Presentation by Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Adviser CAAV. Presentation by Dr Alastair Leake, Director of Policy Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, | |
| 83rd | 7th November 2019 | Environmental Policy after Brexit. Presentation by Dr Alastair Leake, Director of Policy Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. Presentation by Mr Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England. Presentation by Professor Allan Buckwell, the Institute for European Environmental Policy. Presentation by Mr Philip Merricks | |
| 82nd | 4th May 2019 | Countryside Policy after Brexit Robert Goodwell MP, Minister of State, MAFF David Baldock Senior Fellow, Institute rfor European Economic Policy Dr Stephen Chaplin Principal Adviser, Natural England Emily Norton Head of Rural Research, Savills | |
| 81st | 1st November 2018 | The Recovery of Farmland Birds Adrian Jowitt Principal Adviser, Natural England Prof. Chris Stoate Head of Research, The Allerton Project, GWCT Richard Winspear Head of Technical Advice, RSPB Jake Fiennes Manager, The Raveningham Estate | |
| 80th | 24th May 2018 | ‘The Future of Shooting.’ Presentations by: Mr Ian Coghill, Chairman of GWCT Mr Liam Stokes, Head of Shooting, Countryside Alliance Mr Charles Nodder, NGO and Game Farmers’ Association Mr Tom Adams, CEO, British Game Alliance | |
| 79th | 2nd November 2017 | UJC | ‘Clean Water, Clean Rivers.’ Presentations by: Mrs Rebecca Pow MP, PPS to Defra Ministers Mark Lloyd, the Angling Trust Arlin Rickard, the Rivers Trust Dr Laurence Couldrick, the Westcountry Rivers Trust |
| 78th | 27th April 2017 | UJC | ‘Research into Country Sports’ Presentations by: David Steel and Andrew Teanby, Savills Charles Huntington-Whiteley, Strutt and Parker and Chris Horne, Guns on Pegs ‘Balance in the Countryside – Country Sports or Rewilding?’ Presentations by: Lord de Mauley Christopher Price, CLA Peter Nixon, National Trust Dr Alastair Leake, GWCT |
| 77th | 3rd November 2016 | UJC | ‘A new Policy for the English Countryside after Brexit’ Presentations by: Professor Allan Buckwell, Institute for European Environmental Policy George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment Meurig Raymond, President of the NFU Ian Coghill, Chairman of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. |
| 76th | 19th May 2016 | UJC | ‘Apprenticeships, Training and Skills’ Presentations by: Neil Bunch of the BIS/DfE Apprenticeships Unit Professor David Hopkins, Dean of the School of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester ‘Developing Policy without Bureaucracy’ Presentations by: Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the Better Regulation Executive Richard Benyon MP Christopher Price, Director of Policy and Advice at the CLA |
| 75th | 12th November 2015 | UJC | ‘Rural and Wildlife Crime’ Presentation by: Chief Constable Simon Prince of Dyfed Powys Police who has the Rural and Wildlife Crime Portfolio for the National Police Chiefs’ Council ‘Land Use in the Uplands’ Presentations by: Rob Cooke, Director of Terrestrial Biodiversity for Natural England and Amanda Anderson, Secretary of the Moorland Association Robin Milton of the NFU Rory Stewart MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs Kate Ives of BASC |
| 74th | 28th May 2015 | UJC | ‘The Political Landscape following the General Election’ Presentation by: Simon Hart MP ‘The Impact of Pests and Diseases on the Management of Game and the Countryside’ Presentations by: Dr Christine Middlemiss BVMS MRCVS of Defra’s Safeguarding Plant and Animal Health Team John Wier MICFor of the Forestry Commission England Alan Beynon BVMS MRCVS of the St David’s Veterinary Group |
| 73rd | 13th November 2014 | UJC | ‘The Value of Shooting Report compiled by PACEC’ Presentation by: Kate Ives and Richard Ali of BASC ‘The Law Commission Review of Wildlife Legislation and the draft Wildlife Bill’ Presentations by: Nicholas Paines QC, Law Commissioner James Legge, Head of Political Affairs Countryside Alliance Neil Parish MP |
| 72nd | 24th April 2014 | UJC | (Union Jack Club) The Implications of the New Environmental Land Management Scheme and the Greening Measures of the new CAP Regime on Countryside and Wildlife Management Presentations by: Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Natural Environment and Science Alan Law, Director of Biodiversity Delivery, and Martin Froment of Natural England Dr Jemma Batten, Black Sheep Countryside Management Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust Dr Andrew Clark, Head of Policy Services at the NFU |
| 71st | 14th November 2013 | FC ‘Rural Crime’ Presentations by: Matthew Scott, NFU Insurance Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner, Thames Valley ‘The Differing Legislation, Regulation and Policy Priority concerning Country Sports and Wildlife Management in the four home countries of the UK’ Presentations by: Lyall Plant, Countryside Alliance Ireland Matthew Quinn, Director of Environment Welsh Government Jamie Stewart, Scottish Countryside Alliance Sir Barney White-Spunner, Countryside Alliance | |
| 70th | 9th May 2013 | FC | ‘The Management of Sustainable Wildlife Populations’ Presentations by: Dr Jonathan Reynolds, Ms Gemma Davis and Dr Andrew Hoodless, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Dominic Griffith, British Deer Society, Jeff Knott, RSPB Dr Andy Clements, British Trust for Ornithology |
| 69th | 8th November 2012 | FC | Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, Secretary of State, Defra Spoke of his vision of the British Countryside ‘European Issues’ Presentations by: Thierry de l’Escaille, European Landowners’ Organisation, Angus Middleton and Manueal Esparrago, FACE Dr Conor O’Gorman, FACE-UK. |
| 68th | 10th May 2012 | FC | ‘The Future of the Single Payment – an Update on CAP Reform Negotiations’ Presentations by: Dr Alastair Leake, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Christopher Price, CLA. ‘The Law Commission’s Review of Wildlife Legislation’ Presentations by: Frances Patterson and Dr Keith Vincent, Law Commission. |
| 67th | 3rd November 2011 | FC | ‘Fisheries, Conservation, Exploitation and Management’ Presentations by: Richard Benyon MP, Minister for the Natural Environment Food And Fisheries, Geoff Bateman, Environment Agency, Paul Knight, Salmon and Trout Association, Andrew Wallace, Rivers and Fisheries Trust for Scotland, Arlin Rickard, Rivers Trust, Mark Lloyd, Angling Trust and Fish Legal. |
| 66th | 12th May 2011 | FC | ‘The Management of Wildlife Populations’ Presentations by: Peter Watson, Director of the Deer Initiative, Dr Martin Goulding, British Wild Boar Organisation, Stephen Lomax on Badgers. |
| 65th | 11th November 2010 | FC | * ‘A Perspective on Developing Rural Policies’ (*Farmers Club) presented by Mr Poul Christensen, Chairman, Natural England ‘The Future for Lead Shot’, debate lead by Mr John Swift, Chief Executive of BASC. ‘The Practicalities of a Badger Cull’,debate led by Mr Peter Allen, farmer and member of the NFU. |
| 64th | 13th May 2010 | CLA | ‘An Old Countryside in a New Political World’, Presentations by: Dr Sue Armstrong-Brown, Head of Species, RSPB, Martin Gillibrand, Secretary, Moorland Association Professor Sir John Marsh, CBE, Emeritus Professor, Reading University. |
| 63rd | 5th November 2009 | CLA | ‘Population Management’, presentation by Mr Graham Irving, British Falconers’ Club ‘The Campaign for the Farmed Environment – an open door for Countryside Sports’ presentations by Mr Harry Cotterell, Deputy President of the CLA, and Mr Bob Slater, FWAG |
| 62nd | 30th April 2009 | CIA | ‘Recapturing the Environmental Benefits of Set-aside’ presentation by Jessica Tipton, Defra, and ‘Views on a Multi-purpose Countryside’ presentation by Jim Paice, MP, Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. |
| 61st | 13th November 2008 | CIA | ‘Encouraging Young Entrants into Countryside Sports’ Presentations by: Mr Gary Richardson, Chief Executive of the Countryside Foundation for Education Jemima Parry-Jones, MBE, Director, International Centre for Birds of Prey. |
| 60th | 24th April 2008 | CIA | ‘Future Opportunities for Upland Management’ Presentations by: Mr John Thorley OBE, Policy Advisor to the National Sheep Association Air Commodore Simon Bostock, Chairman of the Moorland Association Lord Lindsay, Chairman of Scotland’s Moorland Forum Summary by Mr Simon Thorp, Director of the Heather Trust. |
| 59th | 1st November 2007 | CLA ‘Sharing Experience from Europe’ Presentations by: Dr Janet Dwyer, Senior Research Fellow at the CCRU M. Alexandre Marghelis, legal adviser to the European Landowners Organisation (ELO) Dr Yves Lecocq, Secretary General of FACE | |
| 58th | 3rd May 2007 | CIA* | ‘The Changing Face of Countryside Support’ (* Chemical Industries Association, Smith Square, London) Papers presented by: Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive, Natural England Mr John Lloyd-Jones, OBE, Chairman, Countryside Council for Wales. |
| 57th | 9th November 2006 | CCPR | Report on the ‘Economic and Environmental Value of Shooting to the Rural Economy’, by Mr Oliver Harwood, Chief Surveyor, Country Land and Business Association. ‘The ‘Water Framework Directive’. Papers presented by:- Mr Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries Environment Agency Mr William Crookshank, Head of Recreation, Environment Agency Mr Alistair Maltby, Director North, Association of Rivers Trusts, Mr Ian Lindsay, Director Advisory Services and Education, Game Conservancy Trust Mr Paul Knight, Executive Director, Salmon and Trout Assoc. |
| 56th | 4th May 2006 | CCPR | Report of the Standing Conference Working Party on the ‘Management of Wildlife’ presented by Lord Mancroft, Vice- Chairman. ‘The Management of Wildlife in the UK’ Papers presented by:- Professor Sir Colin Spedding, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Reading University Dr Lewis Thomas, Secretary Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management Mr Simon Hart, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance |
| 55th | 10th November 2005 | CCPR | ‘To consider the effects of changes to the CAP on Countryside Sports’. Papers presented by:- Professor Alan Buckwell , Chief Economist, CLA Dr Andrew Clarke, Head of Policy Services, National Farmers Union Mr Peter Allen , Cumbrian Farmer and member of the NFU Mr Peter Thomson , Field Officer, Game Conservancy Trust Dr Andrew Brown, Chief Executive English Nature |
| 54th | 14th April 2005 | CCPR ‘The Status and Management of Raptors in England – feeling a consensus’. Papers presented by:- Dr David Townsend , English Nature Mr Richard Saunders, English Nature, Hen Harrier Project Manager Dr Stephen Tapper, Director of Policy, Game Conservancy Trust Mr Julian Hughes, Head of Species Conservation, RSPB Mr M Gillibrand, Secretary, Moorland Association | |
| 53rd | 18th November 2004 | CCPR | ‘The Hunting Act’ – The Chairman ‘Current Threats to Pigeon Racing’ presented by Mr Peter Bryant, General Manager of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. ‘The Management of Wild Deer’ Papers presented by:- Mr Charles Wilson, Senior Wildlife Adviser, Defra Major Charles Smith-Jones, Ministry of Defence Mr Dominic Griffith, Deer Manager and Land Agent Dr Michael Swan – Game Conservancy Trust Mr Peter Wilson – Director, the Deer Initiative |
| 52nd | 21st April 2004 | CCPR | ‘Law and Order in the Countryside’ Presentations by:- Mr H Oliver-Bellasis, Landowner and Farmer Mr Christopher Price, Public Law Adviser, Country Land and Business Association. Mr A McWhirter, QPM, Chief Constable and ACPO Spokesperson on Rural Policing |
| The 25th Anniversary Meeting | Held in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh 29th Oct 2003 KG, KT, in the Great Hall of the Worshipful Company of Butchers on Wednesday 29th October 2003. Mr Robert Harding, CBE, Actor, gave an address entitled ‘The Future of Countryside Sports – One Man’s Speculation’ HRH The Duke of Edinburgh proposed the Toast to the Standing Conference, and The Lord Mancroft, Vice-Chairman, replied. | ||
| 50th | 9th April 2003 | CCPR | ‘Proposed changes to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with implications for countryside sports and rural land management.’ Presentation by Mr M Capstick, Head of European Wildlife Division, Defra. ‘Development of the Code of Good Shooting Practice’ Presentation by Mr W Tyrwhitt-Drake, Chairman of the Steering Committee |
| 49th | 6th November 2002 | CCPR | ‘Fisheries Management including Fisheries Action Plans and Water Maintenance, and the Proposed Animal Welfare Legislation’ Presentations by: Dr D Clarke – Head of Fisheries, Environment Agency Mrs J C Nicol MBE – Director, Tweed Foundation Mr D Pritchard – Head of Animal Welfare, Defra |
| 48th | 1st May 2001 | RICS | ‘Public Perception of Game Shooting and how this might be improved’ Presentations by: Mr C Graffius, BASC; Mrs D Goodfellow, CE, Countryside Foundation for Education; Mr C Nodder, Rural Affairs Consultant; Mr Loyd Grossman, Writer and Broadcaster |
| 47th | 7th Nov 2001 | RICS | The Importance of Countryside Sports to the overall management of the Countryside and its Wildlife’. Presentations by Dr Victoria Edwards, Board Member of the Countryside Agency, and Melinda Appleby, Council Member of English Nature |
| (The Spring meeting in 2001 was cancelled due to Foot and Mouth Disease) | |||
| 46th | 22nd Nov 2000 | RICS | Address by Lord Moran on ‘The Current Work of the Moran Committee on Fresh Water Fisheries’. Presentations on:- ‘Problems of Interpretation of Firearms Legislation’; ‘Face Coverings for Unlawful Activities’; ‘Changes to the Processing of Wild Game Meat’ |
| 45th | 12th April 2000 | RICS | ‘Integration of Farming and Forestry with Countryside Sports, and the Management of the Countryside’; Presentations by the NFU, the Timber Growers Association, the Countryside Alliance, and the Game Conservancy Trust. |
| 44th | 23rd Nov 1999 | RICS | Address by Michael Meacher, MP, Minister of the Environment. ‘Know your Agencies’ including a presentation by Baroness Young of Old Scone, Chairman of English Nature. |
| 43rd | 22nd April 1999 | RICS | ‘Progress with Biodiversity Action Plans’; ‘The Countryside Alliance’; ‘The Game Marketing Executive’; ‘The Problems of Escapee Wild Boar in GB’; ‘The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group’. |
| 42nd | 25th Nov 1998 | RICS | ‘Countryside Sports and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan’; ‘Access to the Countryside and Countryside Sports’; ‘Salmon in Peril’. |
| 41st | 12th May 1998 | RICS | ‘Game Protection and Marketing’ – Health and Disease Control; Shoot Management; Widening Customer Appeal; Assured British Game Quality Scheme. |
| 40th | 26th Nov 1997 | RICS | ‘The Farming and Rural Conservation Agency’; ‘The Positive Role of Countryside Sports’; ‘The Raptor Working Group’ |
| 39th | 8th April 1997 | RICS | Rabies – the Current Position’; ‘The Wildlife Law Enforcement Steering Group’; ‘The Allerton Project’. |
| 38th | 4th Nov 1996 | RICS | ‘The Biodiversity Action Plan and Countryside Sports: Conflict or Harmony? The Earl of Lindsay, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and the Environment for Scotland. |
| 37th | 30th April 1996 | RICS | ‘Countryside Sports and the Next Generation’. |
| 36th | 21st Nov 1995 | RICS | ‘Increasing Access to the Countryside and the Effects on Game and Wildlife’, Mr Michael Dower, Director of the Countryside Commission, Mr Alan Mattingly, Director of the Ramblers Association |
| Special | 25th Oct 1995 | Perth | ‘The Potential Imbalance between Protected Species and the Rest of Nature including Country Sports’ The Earl of Selborne, KBE, Chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. |
| 35th | 23rd May 1995 | RICS | ‘The Potential Imbalance between Protected Species and the Rest of Nature including Country Sports’, The Earl of Selborne, KBE, Chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee |
| 34th | 16 Nov 1994 | RICS | ‘The Impact on Quarry Species resulting from the Release of Similar Species into the Countryside’. |
| 33rd | 26th April 1994 | RICS | ‘Countryside Sports and Animal Health’, Mr K C Meldrum, MRCVS, Chief Veterinary Officer, MAFF |
| 32nd | 16th Nov 1993 | RICS | ‘The Management of Set-Aside land for Game and Wildlife’. |
| 31st | 21st April 1993 | RICS | ‘The Disruption of Countryside Sports – Prevention and Cure’ |
| 30th | 11th Nov 1992 | RICS | ‘The Future for Fishing – the Problems and Challenges’ |
| 29th | 23rd April 1992 | RICS | ‘The Control of Predators in relation to Game Species and other Wildlife’. |
| Special | 27th Feb 1992 | RICS | Publication of the Cobham Report 1992, ‘The Economical and Conservation Significance of Countryside Sports |
| 28th | 21st Nov 1991 | NFU | ‘The Media’s Approach to Countryside Sports’. The Speakers were:- Richard Stott, Editor of the Daily Mirror; Max Hastings, Editor-in-Chief, of the Daily Telegraph; Richard Kershaw, the TV and Radio Presenter. |
| Special | 24th Sept 1991 | Perth | ‘The Contribution of Countryside Sports to the Rural Economy of Scotland’, address by Lord Strathclyde, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries at the Scottish Office. |
| 27th | 10th April 1991 | RICS | Address by Baroness Trumpington, Minister of State, MAFF |
| 26th | 31st Oct 1990 | RICS | Address by Mr David Tripper MP, Minister for the Environment and the Countryside. ‘Private Forestry and Countryside Sports’. |
| 25th | 20th March 1990 | RICS | ‘Countryside Sports and Public Access to Moorland’ |
| 24th | 25th Oct 1989 | RICS | ‘Training for Country Sports’ |
| 23rd | 4th April 1989 | RASE | Address by The Rt Hon Nicholas Ridley, Secretary of State for the Environment. ‘The Control of Game Shooting and the Management of Wildlife Populations’ |
| 22nd | 25th Oct 1988 | RASE | ‘Country Sports and Designated Rural Areas’, address by Sir Derek Barber, Chairman of the Countryside Commission. |
| 21st | 29th March 1988 | RICS | ‘The Changing Agricultural Scene and its Effects on Countryside Sports’. |
| 20th | 27th Oct 1987 | RICS | Launch of ‘The Fox and the Orchid’ |
| Special | 28th April 1987 | Perth | ‘Public Access and Sporting Conduct in the Scottish Countryside’, addresses by:- Mr John Mackay, MP, Minister for Education, Agriculture and Fisheries at the Scottish Office; The Rt Hon Lord Cameron of Lochbroom, QC, Lord Advocate; Sheriff Neil Gow, QC; Fergus J M Browne WS, Procurator Fiscal |
| 19th | 31st March 1987 | RICS | Address by Parliamentary Under-Secretary, DOE, Lord Skelmersdale. |
| 18th | 30th Oct 1986 | RASE | The Influence of the EEC on Countryside Sports in the United Kingdom, address by Dr Yves Lecocq. |
| Special | 29th April 1986 | RICS | ‘Law and Order in the Countryside’. |
| 17th | 26th Mar 1986 | RICS | ‘The Water Industry and Countryside Sports’. |
| 16th | 31st Oct 1985 | RICS | ‘Countryside Sports and Protected Sites’ |
| 14th | 24th Oct 1984 | RICS | ‘Learning about Countryside Sports’. |
| 12th | 23rd Nov 1983 | RICS | ‘Countryside Sports and Public Access’. |
| 11th | 24th March 1983 | RICS | Address by the President of the CLA, Lord Middleton. |
| 10th | 18th Oct 1982 | NCC | ‘Contribution of Country Sports by Habitat and Landscape’. |
| 9th | 24th March 1982 | Caxton Hall | Address by the Minister of State MAFF, The Earl Ferrers. |
| 8th | 25th Nov 1981 | Caxton Hall | Address by the Minister of State Home Office, Lord Belstead. |
| 7th | 31th March 1981 | RICS | ‘Forestry and Countryside Sports’ |
| 6th | 25th Nov 1980 | RICS | Address by the Minister of Sport, Mr Hector Munro, MP |
| 5th | 28th April 1980 | RICS | Address by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh |
| 4th | 27th Nov 1979 | RICS | ‘Economic Significance of Countryside Sports’. |
| 3rd | 1st May 1979 | RICS | ‘Effect of Rabies on Countryside Sports’ and the ‘Effects of Pollution on Angling |
| 2nd | 28th Nov 1978 | RICS | Shooting and Fishing in the Rural Economy’ |
Copies of the reports of the above meetings can be obtained from the Secretary.