TWO Government ministers will be among the speakers when the Oxford Farming Conference returns to the city.

The annual event, one of the highlights of the agricultural calender, will again be staged in university buildings on January 2-4.

Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will speak on what he predicts lies ahead for farming this year.

The former journalist and Brexit-backing politician will outline how he sees a 'world of opportunity' for the UK at this significant turning point in history.

He will be joined on the conference programme by fellow Conservative George Eustice, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, who will speak on a panel discussion looking at 'the world beyond Brexit'.

Mr Eustice will be in conversation with the ex New Zealand Trade Minister Sir Lockwood Smith and others.

Organisers have warned that only 50 tickets remain for the three day event which also features fringe sessions, drinks receptions and sponsored lunches.

The Oxford Union is organising a debate on the Thursday evening entitled 'This house believes the country would be better served if farmers focused on profits rather than public goods'.

Guy Smith, NFU deputy president and Hilary McGrady, director-general of the National Trust, will both take part.