Innovation UK > News > Innovation News > Government launches science strategy for food

A new science strategy has been launched by the Government?s Chief Scientific Adviser to improve the security and sustainability of the UK?s food system.

The UK Cross-Government Strategy for Food Research and Innovation aims to provide evidence to support effective policies, as well as ensure the development and dissemination of new knowledge, technologies and skills.

 

Chief Scientific Advisor Professor John Beddington said: ?There are real challenges ahead for policy makers and researchers alike, and for the food industry from producers to retailers, with pressures on our food system set to increase sharply in the decades ahead.?

 

?The UK must draw on the strengths in its science base and in industry to meet these challenges, and to exploit the opportunities for innovation and new markets that exist.?

 

The Food and Innovation Research Strategy provides, for the first time, an overarching framework across the UK Government and Devolved Administrations. It sets out current and future programmes and highlights some past successes, good practice and where joint working is already strong, both on research projects and cross-cutting issues.

 

It also recognises the need to further strengthen co-ordination and networking, and sets out the mechanisms by which this will be achieved.

 

?A critical element will be strengthening partnerships across organisational boundaries and sectors to address social, environmental, health or economic factors,? says Professor Beddington. ?This more joined up approach will be central to contributing to a thriving UK agri-food business sector and delivering a sustainable and secure food system.?