This conference will examine the priorities for developing agricultural science and technology in the UK.
Expect discussion to focus on how to achieve the potential of innovation to meet supply chain and climate challenges, and the way forward for support from policy and regulation.
The conference takes place in the context of the Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024, as well as the ongoing implementation of the Government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), and the Agriculture Act coming into force.
The agenda is structured to bring out latest thinking on:
- Support – developing funding opportunities that effectively support innovation, and the role of the Farming Innovation Programme in fostering science and technology advancements
- Delivery – realising the potential of science and technology across the supply chain:
- key challenges and opportunities
- driving productivity alongside sustainability
- the principle of public money for public goods
- supporting stakeholder engagement and take-up
- Environmental Land Management Schemes – ensuring innovation is supported in the design and delivery of ELMs
- The UK’s global presence – positioning in the international regulatory and policy landscape, opportunities for international collaboration, and implications for trade deals
- GMO crops and genetic editing – the outlook for the UK following the Government’s response to its consultation on genetic technologies regulation – with discussion on:
- the potential for building resilience in the face of market, climate, and resource pressures on global food systems
- priorities for the safety and regulatory assessments of cutting-edge technologies
- evidence and data driven decision making
| 8.30 | Registration |
| 9.00 | Chair’s opening remarks
Senior Parliamentarian |
| 9.05 | Supporting the role of science and technology in UK agriculture, and coordination with the wider policy landscape
Tim Morden, Deputy Director, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions and comments from the floor |
| 9.35 | Break |
| 9.40 | Funding for agritech – identifying opportunities, priorities for research, investment sources, and access to finance |
| Senior representative, funding | |
| 9.50 | Driving forward innovation – improving productivity and sustainability, maximising the potential of data and emerging technology, key challenges and opportunities, and supporting stakeholder engagement and take-up
Professor Richard Tiffin, Chief Scientific Officer, Agrimetrics; and Director, Centre for Food Security, University of Reading Dr Helen Ferrier, Chief Science & Regulatory Affairs Adviser, National Farmers’ Union Dustin Benton, Policy Director, Green Alliance Dave Bench, Chief Executive, Crop Protection Association Senior representative, technology |
| Questions and comments from the floor | |
| 10.40 | Chair’s closing remarks
Senior Parliamentarian |
| 10.45 | Break |
| 10.50 | Chair’s opening remarks
Senior Parliamentarian |
| 10.55 | Science and technology in a global context – latest developments, the international regulatory landscape, and future trade agreements
Senior representative, international |
| Senior representative, trade | |
| Questions and comments from the floor | |
| 11.30 | Key issues for genetic editing and the future outlook for GMO crops in the UK
Jon Williams, Public and Governmental Affairs Manager – Agricultural Solutions, UK and Ireland, BASF Senior representative, environment Senior representative, consumers Senior representative, legal |
| Senior representative, agriculture | |
| Questions and comments from the floor | |
| 12.20 | Break |
| 12.25 | Regulatory priorities for science and technology in the food system
Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser, Food Standards Agency; and Professor of Infectious Disease, University of Birmingham Questions and comments from the floor |
| 12.55 | Chair’s and Westminster Food & Nutrition closing remarks
Senior Parliamentarian Michael Ryan, Deputy Editor, Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum |