GM Agriculture: Lords Innovation Enquiry to hear evidence
The House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment will hear 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.
11.00am: Dr Julian Little, Chair, Agricultural Biotechnology Council
Dr Mike Bushell, Principal Scientific Adviser, Syngenta
11.45am: Emma Hockridge, Head of Policy, Soil Association
Pete Riley, Campaign Director, GM Freeze
The witnesses will be 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 will take place on Wednesday 26 January at 11.00am in Committee Room 3a.
- The evidence session is open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should access Parliament via the Cromwell Green Entrance where they will be directed towards the Committee Corridor. Please arrive in time to allow for security screening.
- The evidence session will be broadcast live at www.parliamentlive.tv.
- For more information on the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment please visit: www.parliament.uk/hleud.
- For more information about the organisations giving evidence, please visit: Agricultural Biotechnology Council: http://www.abcinformation.org; Syngenta: www.syngenta.co.uk; Soil Association: www.soilassociation.org; GM Freeze: www.gmfreeze.org.