UK 'failing to invest in farming's future'

At a time when world wheat prices have reached a new record high and demand for food is growing exponentially, the UK is failing to invest sufficient resources in basis agricultural research.

That was the clear message from Professor Geoff Simm, the president of the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS), when he addressed a reception in the Scottish Parliament.

Simm, who has an international reputation in the field of sheep genetics, made the point that, while funding for animal science in Scotland has remained relatively flat in recent years, support from the London-based department of the environment, food and rural affairs (Defra), has declined by at least 20 per cent over the past decade. The basic fact is that capital support for animal science throughout the UK is running well short of the EU target for overall research of 3 per cent of farming GDP.

Only ten days ago, Professor John Hillman, the former director of the Scottish Crop Research Institute, made a similar point, but Simm's statement was even more forthright.

He said: "British animal science has achieved a great deal over the years and we believe the need for more research has never been more urgent.

"Global climate change is expected to reduce food production capability in many parts of the world and that is particularly serious at a time when the demand for livestock products is forecast to double during the first half of this century."

The consensus among the academic fraternity is that northern Europe, including Scotland and Scandinavia, will be less affected by climate change and may well gain, according to Simm.

He said: "While not wishing to diminish the livestock industry's current problems, this scenario creates both a tremendous need and a great commercial opportunity for the sector in the medium term. We need toensure that we still have the industry capability, and the science capability, to rise to these challenges.