Rivers Conference November 2024 - 1of 6 - Welcome and Introduction

Welcome and Introduction by
Paul Walker, Herefordshire Council Chief Executive
Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment, Deputy Leader to the Council
Following last year’s extremely successful inaugural Rivers Conference, Herefordshire Council hosted the event for the second time at the Shell Store in Hereford on Thursday 21 November. The aim of the conference is to build a shared understanding of the challenges of protecting our rivers, and to showcase the local initiatives taking place to address them.
Local arable farmers shared their knowledge and experience of crop production; outlining the actions they’ve taken to introduce and embed sustainable practices on their farms, and commitment to further solutions. The presentations covered topics including regenerative agriculture, soil health, nutrient capture and reducing nutrient load.
The presentations were followed by panel discussions on topics including soil testing and analysis, phosphate neutrality and mitigating risk. Kevin McCloud, who is a champion of wildlife and the natural environment and best known for presenting Channel 4s Grand Designs, chaired the afternoon panel discussion on soil and nutrients.