Our local river, The River Usk, is not well. It is a complex issue, with no single cause or culprit. Yet there is a clear link between the food we choose to buy and eat and its plight. Our demand for cheap food drives intensive agriculture and the river bears the brunt, with increased pollution, flooding, and sedimentation in the water.
So what can be done? How can we change the way we use the land while supporting those whose livelihoods depend on it? Join Monmouthshire MP, Catherine Fookes, river ecologist, Dr Eleanor Kean, farmer and ecologist, Ieuan Davies, and local business owner and councilor, Chloe Masefield, to discuss the changes needed at all levels to protect our river and build healthy, affordable food resilience.
Catherine Fookes MP
Catherine Fookes is MP for Monmouthshire and was elected in July 2024. Before becoming an MP she served as the Chief Executive of a national Women and Equalities charity, improving the lives of women and families across Wales and the UK. Locally, she was a Monmouthshire county councillor and Cabinet Member, where she championed policies to improve our public services and support local communities. Catherine started her career working as an environmental campaigner at Sustain the alliance for better food and farming and the Soil Association. She has lived in Monmouthshire for over 25 years and one of her key priorities as MP is restoring our rivers to full health. She has raised rivers repeatedly in Parliament and has secured £1m for the River Wye Wye action plan.
Dr Eleanor Kean
Eleanor works freelance supporting organisations with their environmental evidence and research needs. Rooted in academic rigor and practically minded, she is passionate about enhancing understanding and collaboration. Eleanor is the Independent Chair of the Usk Knowledge Hub, the group responsible for providing technical advice to the Usk Catchment Partnership, on the state of the river and actions to support it.
The Usk Catchment Partnership brings together statutory bodies and interested parties around a shared aim to restore the ecological health and resilience of the River Usk and its catchment.
Ieuan Davies
Ieu is a 5th generation food producer who has been involved in farming and agri policy for decades and as an ecologist understands the complexity of running a farm business in balance with nature. He currently manages a 450 acre regenerative farm in Carmarthenshire.
Chloe Masefield
Along with her husband, Chloe manages Natural Weigh, Crickhowell – Wales’ first zero waste shop selling refillable high quality, organic dried foods, liquids, cleaning products and lifestyle products. She is also a County Council and Sustainable Food Partnership Coordinator for Powys.
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