EU must prioritise global food security, says top UK science adviser

Leading world experts warn that decisive action is needed urgently

Brussels, 30 March 2011

Professor, Sir John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK government, presented in Brussels today the findings of an independent study on the pressures facing the global food and farming system from now to 2050.

The Foresight report on “The Future of Food and Farming: Challenges and choices for global sustainability” – presented at a British Chamber of Commerce breakfast -- reviews over 80 scientific papers, including contributions from 400-plus leading experts and stakeholders from 35 countries. This landmark report details how the global food system will experience unprecedented pressures over the next 40 years, on both demand and on production. It shows the need to recognise food as a unique type of commodity, going far beyond narrow perspectives of nutrition, economic and food security alone.

At the event, Professor Sir John Beddington urged EU policy makers to take a much broader perspective when making the choices associated with agricultural production which lie before them. “This is a unique time in history - decisions made now and over the next few decades will disproportionately influence the future of agriculture and food security,” he said. “There are many potential approaches. All areas of science and technology which could make valuable contributions to the challenge of producing more food on less land in a sustainable way should be carefully considered. There is no one single solution.” added Sir John.

The report argues that to address the goal of balancing supply and demand sustainably, actions must be taken collaboratively across several policy domains as no one single approach can meet all of the complex challenges. Making decisions on the better use of knowledge, capitalising on new science and technology, reducing waste, improving governance and influencing demand were among the priorities highlighted.

Many of the world’s most important agricultural technology & food sector organizations were represented at the event, which was hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium’s Food Security, Safety and Sustainability Task Force. Paul Leonard, Chairman of the Task Force said, “Many of the decisions which will determine the shape of European Agriculture and the contribution which Europe will make for global food security, will be formulated here in Brussels. We are proud to be able to offer this platform for regular and informed debate at a time when dialogue is most needed.”

The UK’s Crop Protection Association (CPA) sponsored the event. "The Foresight report is a wake up call for Europe. With crop yields falling and food prices rocketing across Europe, policy makers cannot afford to be complacent about the extent of the global food security threat and its impact on the future of EU agriculture and food production," said CPA chief executive Dominic Dyer.


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About the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium
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About the Foresight study
The UK Government’s Foresight Global Food and Farming Futures project published its main findings on January 24th 2011. The Foresight Programme is part of the UK's Government Office for Science. It helps Government think systematically about the future and uses the latest scientific and other evidence to provide signposts for policymakers in tackling future challenges. Government Office for Science supports the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser in ensuring that the Government has access to, and uses, the best science and engineering advice. It is located within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Further details about the project can be found on the Foresight website (http://www.bis.gov.uk/foresight) or contact the BIS press office (sally.catmull@bis.gsi.gov.uk).

The two-year Foresight study has commissioned over 80 scientific reviews and involved over 400 leading experts and stakeholders from 35 countries. The project was guided by a high level group of international experts from the UN, EU, World Bank, industry and civil society; and draws on other well regarded international reports.

The Foresight report identifies five important challenges, they are:

1. Balancing future demand and supply sustainably – to ensure that food supplies are affordable.
2. Ensuring that there is adequate stability in food supplies – and protecting the most vulnerable from the volatility that does occur.
3. Achieving global access to food and ending hunger. This recognises that producing enough food in the world so that everyone can potentially be fed is not the same thing as ensuring food security for all
4. Managing the contribution of the food system to the mitigation of climate change
5. Maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services while feeding the world.

The executive summary is available at
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/bispartners/foresight/docs/food-and-farming/11-547-future-of-food-and-farming-summary.pdf

The full report is available at
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/bispartners/foresight/docs/food-and-farming/11-546-future-of-food-and-farming-report.pdf

British Chamber of Commerce of Belgium
Boulevard Bischoffsheim 11, 1000 Brussels, BE
Contact: Uzma Lodhi Communications Manager
Tel: 02 613 28 55 / 0499 515553
Email: uzma@britcham.be

This release was published on openPR.