GM Agriculture: Lords Innovation Inquiry hear evidence
27 January 2011
The House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment heard from several witnesses, with a particular interest in the genetic modification (GM) of crops, as part of its inquiry into Innovation in EU Agriculture on Wednesday 26 January.
The aim of the inquiry is to identify how innovation in EU agriculture can be best supported, particularly at a time when factors such as population increase and climate change have greatly affected the scale of the challenges facing agriculture in the UK, Europe and globally.
Evidence was heard from:
Dr Julian Little, Chair, Agricultural Biotechnology Council
Dr Mike Bushell, Principal Scientific Adviser, Syngenta
Emma Hockridge, Head of Policy, Soil Association
Pete Riley, Campaign Director, GM Freeze
The witnesses were asked questions in relation to:
- the extent of innovation in agriculture today, and the appropriate role for agricultural bio-technology
- obstacles to innovation
- challenges likely to drive innovation in the future
- key players and structures needed to support innovation in EU agriculture
- assistance from the Common Agricultural Policy and EU Research Programme
The evidence session took place on Wednesday 26 January.