Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform and the future for farmer co-operatives will be debated by producers, processors, businesses and banks at a conference in Worcestershire March 24-25.

Defra minister Lord Whitty will be among speakers at the National Farmers' Union conference, Which Way Now? Among those sharing his views on the economic advantages and hurdles of collaboration will be Andrew Jackson, ceo of Mole Valley Farmers, chairman of NFU corporate Robin Pooley and NFU president Ben Gill.

Day two will include John Shropshire, managing director of G's, who will talk about meeting the demands of the market through operations at home and abroad. The successful development of co-ops in Denmark will be outlined by Bent Juul Sorensen, president of the Federation of Danish Co-ops and a board member of Arla Foods.

Matthew Watts, NFU corporate manager, commented: 'The pros and cons of collaborative ventures have provoked huge debate. This conference will focus on the challenges, how they are being overcome by the various sectors and how we can focus our efforts and lobbying expertise in future to ensure that the UK is able to benefit wherever possible from collaboration.

'This conference is, therefore, a must for all farmers/ directors, ceo's, chairmen and company secretaries of farmer-controlled businesses and agricultural co-operatives.'