British agriculture: Lords debate

The report, published in October 2009, discusses the need for a sustainable intensification of global agriculture in which yields are increased without adverse environmental impact. It sets out recommendations for universities and Research Councils UK.

Baroness Byford (Conservative), a farmer and President of Linking Environment and Farming, will open the debate. Members taking part include the following.

• Lord Plumb (Conservative), former president of the European Parliament who is involved with various organisations related to agriculture and environment including the International Food and Agricultural Policy Council, Farm Africa and the Royal Agricultural Society.
• Baroness Young of Old Scone, former chief executive of the Environment Agency.
• Lord Cameron of Dillington (Crossbench), former chair of the Countryside Agency.
• Lord Livsey of Talgarth (Liberal Democrat), a former farm manager and lecturer in farm management.
• The Earl of Caithness (Conservative), former Foreign and Commonwealth Minister who now sits on the Lords EU Sub Committee for Environment and Agriculture.
• Earl of Selborne (Conservative), who was part of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Science and Technology and former president of the Royal Agricultural Society.
• Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior (Conservative), president of the Royal Society for Public Health, and former member of the Agriculture and Food Research Council.

Other Members scheduled to take part include Lord Burnett, the Duke of Montrose and Lord Taylor of Holbeach. Lord Davies of Oldham will speak on behalf of the Government.

Further information

• List of speakers - Lords Government Whips Office (external site)
• Video and Audio - watch the debate live
• Lords Hansard - transcript available approximately three hours from the start of the debate
• Alphabetical list of Members of the Lords
• Parliamentary calendar