Experts from around the UK will be gathering in Edinburgh to address an international conference at the end of March. The two-day conference, “Land Management in a Changing Environment”, will highlight best management practices, and will provide an opportunity for delegates to learn how other countries are tackling the issues.

Organised by SAC and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the conference will take place at the William Robertson Building, George Square, University of Edinburgh from 26-27 March 2008.

Expert speakers from a range of organisations including SAC, SEPA, Institute of Professional Soil Scientists, British Soil Science Society, the Macaulay Institute, Scottish Crops Research Institute (SCRI) and Cranfield University will be present. They will address a wide range of issues relating to land management including the legal framework for land and water management, reducing the risk of E. coli 0157 in rural environments, the role of land managers in natural food management, soil policy, managing carbon in a Scottish farming context and a comparison of the effects of conventional and organic farming practices on soil properties.

Speakers include Mike Russell MSP, Minister for the Environment who will be giving a keynote address to the conference, as will Dr Colin Campbell of the Macaulay Institute. Dr Campbell’s presentation, “Protecting the Nation's Soils – Past, Present and Future” will examine how Scotland’s soil is one of its most important natural assets, not only underpinning our agriculture and forest industries but also increasingly recognised for a wider range of environmental, economic and societal benefits.

Also speaking at the conference will be Professor Ken Kilham of the University of Aberdeen who will look at reducing the risk of E. coli 0157 in rural environments. And Dr Chris Spray of SEPA whose presentation on land management and achieving good water quality is very topical.

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