May 2022
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This conference examined the priorities for developing agricultural science and technology in the UK.
It was an opportunity to discuss the regulatory landscape following exit from the EU, the areas where innovation can be supported and scaled up, as well as key issues for ensuring safety.
The conference took place in the context of the Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024, the ongoing implementation of the Government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), the coming into force of the Agriculture Act, and the wider Levelling Up agenda.
Sessions in the agenda focused on:
- policy and regulation - supporting the role of science and technology in UK agriculture - coordination with the wider policy landscape - keynote contributions from Defra and the FSA
- funding and investment - identifying opportunities - priorities for research - investment sources - access to finance
- the farming community - key issues and priorities for agritech
- innovation - challenges, opportunities and priorities - productivity alongside sustainability - maximising the potential of data and emerging technology - stakeholder engagement and take-up
- the global context - latest developments - the international regulatory landscape - future trade agreements - keynote contributions from FAO, USDA and DIT
- GM - issues for gene editing - the future outlook for genetically modified crops in the UK
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser, Food Standards Agency; and Professor of Infectious Disease, University of Birmingham; Tim Mordan, Deputy Director, Agri-Food Chain - Innovation, Productivity & Science, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Jaime Adams, Senior Advisor for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO); Dr Helen Ferrier, Chief Science & Regulatory Affairs Adviser, National Farmers’ Union; Katrina Hayter, Challenge Director, Transforming Food Production, Innovate UK; and Dr Elizabeth Warham, Lead, Agritech Team, Department for International Trade.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from Defra; the FSA; DAERA NI; Food Standards Scotland; CCC; HSE; DIT; FCDO; Department for the Economy NI; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ROI; Department for Communities, NI; NIEA; The Planning Inspectorate; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords.
