Food security the greatest challenge facing the future of mankind

Delegates and speakers at this week’s Chatham House conference – ‘Food Security 2011: Transforming the Food Production System’ - highlighted the critical role of scientific innovation in delivering a two-fold increase in agricultural productivity over the next 40 years.

But they were warned that access to such advances would require a cultural shift among EU policy-makers and concerted action to combat the routine demonisation of key farming technologies.

Sponsored for a second year by the Crop Protection Association (CPA), the high-level symposium brought together policy-makers, industrialists, scientists and NGOs to discuss the changes needed to increase the productivity, resilience and resource-use efficiency of the food supply chain.

Speaking after the event, CPA Chief executive Dominic Dyer said:"Food security is the greatest challenge facing the future of mankind and it is clear from this week's conference that most stakeholders recognise the need to invest in productive agricultural research within both public and private sector."

But these warm words must be backed up by action. Farm policies over the past 30 years have promoted conservation and environmental goals at the expense of food production, and stripped our public sector research capabilities to the bare bones.

""Meanwhile politicians in Europe seem intent on penalising large-scale, efficient producers, and restricting access to the most advanced crop production technologies.

""The effect has been to block innovation, deter research investment and consign European agriculture to a technological backwater against the rapidly advancing agricultural economies of South America and Asia.

"Mr Dyer called on EU policy-makers, scientists and the food chain to unite in promoting the vital role of modern, science-based agriculture in delivering sustainable increases in food production

."Without a more balanced debate, the influence of anti-science pressure groups in spreading fear and misinformation about key food production tools and technologies will not only meanhigher food prices for us, but will condemn many more millions around the world to poverty and malnutrition," he warned.

ENDS

For further information contact:Dominic Dyer, Crop Protection Association

T: 01733 355372M: 07515 298771E:

dominic@cropprotection.org.ukW: www.cropprotection.org.uk

Issued by:Daniel Pearsall, Front Foot CommunicationsT: 01487 831425E: daniel.pearsall@frontfoot.uk.com

The Crop Protection Association (CPA) represents members active in the manufacture, formulation and supply of crop protection products for use in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry, home gardening and amenity sectors.CPA is committed to promoting the key role of modern plant science in safeguarding our food supply, protecting our environment and improving our quality of life.