Farmer- scientist conversation to address food challenges

A pioneering event bringing farmers and scientific experts together to look at ways crop biotechnology can help farming meet global food challenges is to take place at NFU headquarters this week.

The farmer-scientist conversation, at Stoneleigh Park on Thursday, will see scientists from Rothamsted Research, The John Innes Centre, NIAB and Leeds University on hand to discuss the crop production problems farmers face, and the potential solutions the scientific community could offer.

NFU chief science adviser Dr Helen Ferrier, said that it would give farmers direct access to some of the top scientists in their field.

“Britain has some of the best and brightest scientific minds in the world working on crop biotechnology issues right now,” she added.

“What this event will do is enable NFU members to tap into that knowledge base and talk about their practical experiences in the field, where they have encountered particular challenges and find out how science could help tackle them.


“We believe this will help move the discussion on science, biotechnology and GM crops forward, and help us to develop a strategy based on British farmers’ needs, to address the key questions and policy issues we need to take forward into the new year.”