OXFORD: The Oxford Farming Conference starts at the Oxford University Examination Schools in High Street today.

The conference, which runs until Friday, draws on big names in agriculture, politics, campaigning and the environment to debate and discuss the impact of cultivation.

The city has hosted the January event for more than 50 years.

Keynote speakers this week include the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Owen Paterson, and the chief executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, David Gardner.