DIRECTORS OF The Oxford Farming Conference have announced that it will go ahead in person this January – unless the UK Government changes the Covid compliance rules, and this necessitates cancellation.

The event is due to take place between January 5 and 7, 2022, with the theme 'Routes to Resilience', and will be offered in a hybrid format, so delegates can chose to attend in person or online.

Due to the rising ongoing pandemic, measures have been taken to ensure the health and safety of delegates is paramount to proceedings.

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Joint Co-Chairs of the 2022 Conference, Barbara Bray and Sarah Mukherjee, explained: “We are so looking forward to seeing everyone face-to-face in Oxford next year. It has been a very difficult 18 months for everyone, and we want to make sure that delegates feel as safe and secure as possible when meeting."

The organisers have put the following measures in place:

  • A Covid passport, or PCR test, will be required from all delegates upon arrival and registration;
  • All delegates with a Covid passport must also complete a daily Lateral Flow Test (LFT), register it on the Government’s website and show the confirmation text message received on arrival at the OFC venues;
  • Delegates must not attend the event if they need to self-isolate, or are displaying any symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, are required to isolate after travel, or because they are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms;
  • Delegates will be required to wear masks whilst moving around all OFC venues;
  • Hand sanitiser will be located throughout the venue, and delegates encouraged to use frequently;
  • Organisers have invested in HEPA filters, which remove airborne viruses and bacteria, for all OFC venues;
  • Ventilation throughout the venue will also be via windows and doors. In the colder times, windows will be closed during talks, and then opened during breaks;
  • The Examination Schools staff will be carrying out increased touch point cleaning and catering will be Covid compliant;
  • Distancing is not mandatory, but advised to allow for personal space where possible;
  • OFC numbers will be limited by one third to give delegates more physical space. Added to this, delegates will be able to watch the conference in two additional rooms to the main auditorium if they feel safer in a more spacious environment.

“We hope that these measures will reassure delegates that we are taking their health and safety extremely seriously," said the organisers. "However, this will mean that it will take longer than usual to enter the OFC venues and to register. We will have extra registration points which will ease any congestion, but please allow as much time as possible to register on your first day, and to gain access to the Oxford University Examination School, the Oxford Union and dinner venues on subsequent days.

“The OFC’s insurance deems that full refunds for conference tickets will only be given if the UK government enforces any measures that prevent the conference from going ahead.”

For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.ofc.org.uk