Launch of a new policy briefing on GM crops from The Royal Society.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently confirmed that the products of gene editing technologies will be treated in the same way as conventionally bred. As more detailed plans are developed to implement the provisions set out in the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act in England, particularly in relation to food and feed marketing, the meeting provided a timely opportunity to hear from regulators and practitioners in Canada, to understand the scientific basis for their approach, what it will mean for investment and innovation in Canada’s plant breeding sector, and to discuss their handling of issues such as transparency, consumer choice, and coexistence of supply chains.

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Focus on the UK animal feed sector and its economic significance not only in providing the high-quality nutrition to support a productive and efficient livestock industry, but also as a major consumer of the arable crops grown on Britain’s farms.
Guest speakers:
James McCulloch, Head of Animal Feed, Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC)
Nick Major, Corporate Affairs Director, ForFarmers
Keiran Whitaker, Founder, Entocycle
John Knight, Technical Director, SugaRich

Parliamentary launch of a report by Westminster think-tank The Social Market Foundation, exploring how new precision farming technologies can be used to improve productivity on Britain’s livestock farms.

Guest speakers:
James Read, Director - Policy & Communications Lead, UK & Ireland, MSD Animal Health
Aveek Bhattacharya, Chief Economist, The Social Market Foundation
Johnny Mackey, Associate Director, Ruminants, MSD Animal Health UK

Chair:
Professor Lord Trees

The All-Party Group has previously called on the Government to restore the policy focus on sustainable intensification – using science and innovation to optimise the balance between food production, resource use and environmental/climate impact - to meet future food needs in the context of a ‘perfect storm’ of population growth, climate change and pressure on finite natural resources. The meeting on 29 November 2022 provided an opportunity to hear first-hand what this means in practice from leading practitioners across the agri-food supply chain.

Introductory remarks from Science Minister George Freeman MP were followed by presentations from expert guest speakers on the importance of UK-led research and innovation in the barley crop in driving economic growth and exports in the UK’s malting, brewing and whisky distilling sectors. The meeting included a progress update on the new International Barley Hub and the launch of a major new programme of PhD studentships in barley research and the impact this is likely to have on innovation and investment in barley-based sectors.

Julian Sturdy MP re-elected as chair
Lord Cameron of Dillington, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Earl of Lindsay, Rt Hon Sir Robert Goodwill MP re-elected as Vice-chairs.
Professor the Lord Trees was elected as a new Vice-chair.
Draft income and expenditure statement approved.

Guest speaker:
Pete Mills, Assistant Director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Presentation of a recent report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics into the social and ethical issues raised by the potential use of gene editing technologies in farmed animal breeding, and an opportunity to discuss the report’s findings, and to hear views from key stakeholders in the veterinary, farming, breeding and scientific community.

Guest speakers:
Roger Vickers, Chief Executive, PGRO
Professor Lars Østergaard, Group Leader, John Innes Centre
Elena Walden, Policy Manager, Good Food Institute (GFI) Europe
Dr Richard Harrison, Director of Cambridge Crop Research, NIAB

Chair:
Julian Sturdy MP