Future employment in the sector will be affected by the following:

• increased knowledge-intensive production industries in terms of both production technology and environmental management
• growing trends in the production sector towards increased concern with safety, traceability, quality and environmental protection
• diversification across agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture
• reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy towards reducing intervention prices while providing compensation for beef and sheep farmers
• a continued trend for lowering food prices towards world market levels
• increased consumer spending in the amenity horticulture and garden retail, countryside recreation, equine, and natural heritage industries
• greater emphasis on the provision of high quality services
• increase in scope of environmental conservation

Key drivers of change in the sector:

• globalisation – as well as providing new opportunities, there will be increase risk and vulnerability for the sector
• government and EU policy – legislation and regulatory drivers impact on the sector relate to: sustainable development; rural and urban regeneration; access to the countryside; traceability of products; migration and immigration issues; animal health and welfare; water; and health and safety
• diversification  of land – extending rural development to encompass tourism, recreation, environmental protection, enhancement of biodiversity and green energy 
• technological change – leading to improved quality of life and work
• climate change – affecting the process and operations of the sector

Source: Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Key Drivers of Skill Demand 2005