News article
26 April 2010
SFDF debates the future of food at annual symposium
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PRESS RELEASE
The Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF), the Institute of Food Science and
Technology (IFST) and The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
(REHIS) joined forces on April 22nd 2010, to host their 8th annual symposium,
entitled 'The Future of Food: Can we strike the right balance?''.
The event took place at The George Hotel in Edinburgh and considered the issues
which could impact upon the future of the food industry including:
- food security
- feeding a growing global population
- the impact of climate change
- securing a sustainable food industry
- the potential role of new technologies.
Manufacturers gained valuable insights into how they could rise to the
challenges which lie ahead in identifying new commercial opportunities that
could
safeguard their companies.
“There are a number of significant factors that will shape the future of food
production. A full understanding of those different elements is what will help
us
secure a safe, sustainable template for commercial food production. It's a big
challenge but this year's Symposium is a step in the right direction in setting
the scene and helping to identify solutions to some of the key challenges.”
said
Flora McLean, Director of SFDF.
Chaired by Professor Graeme Millar, FSA Board Member for Scotland, the symposium
hosted a variety of experts from both the food and environmental sectors
including Iain Ferguson, Former FDF President. With a rising global population,
scarcity of fresh water supplies, global warming and the increase in the use of
bio-fuels as issues putting pressure on global food supplies Mr Ferguson said
“There
are strongly emerging concerns about the challenges we face going forward to
2030.
It's very important we talk about the technology options which we have today
and
may need for the future including GM, nanotechnology, and irradiation.
Genetically modified crops are not a silver bullet, but could well be part of a
global
solution to food security.”
James Withers Chief Executive of NFU Scotland said, “Agriculture globally is
facing its greatest challenge in a generation. In the next 20-30 years we need
to
be producing 50% more food on less land, using less energy and less water and
producing fewer emissions. Producing more with less is not impossible; we have
been
doing it over the last 20 years.
“Yet, to reach the next level and meet the global challenge we need to usher in
a new era of agricultural and food technology research. That must include a
hard
look at biotechnology; new systems of irrigation; new crop and plant varieties.”
Other speakers included Professor Charles Milne of the Food Standards Agency,
David Thomson of the Scottish Government and Dr Ray Elliott of Syngenta. Hugh
Raven, Director of The Soil Association in Scotland, also spoke at the event
and
commented:
“The report (The Royal Society Report 'Reaping the benefits: Science and the
Sustainable Intensification of Global Agriculture) is a useful contribution and
a
well-balanced piece of work. The industry is convinced that GM is an important
part of the way forward but I remain extremely sceptical about its benefits
globally, particularly about any benefits to Scottish consumers or food
producers.”
Reflecting on the day's discussions, Sir David Baulcombe, Fellow of the Royal
Society, said, “There has been general recognition that sustainable food
production is an important issue for Scotland and I see this as a real
opportunity for
Scotland to lead the way on showing what science can achieve.”
More Information
- FDF Press team
-
Cath Wilkins on cath.wilkins@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7132
-
Sarah Lovell on sarah.lovell@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7131
-
Rebecca Wilhelm rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7140
Notes to Editors
1. SFDF is the voice of the Scottish food and drink manufacturing industry –
Scotland's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about SFDF and
the
industry we represent visit: www.sfdf.org.uk
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