Medway based Research Institute plays major role in parliamentary enquiry on global food security
The University of Greenwich’s Natural Resources Institute (NRI), which is based in Medway, has played a major role in a parliamentary enquiry and report into global food security produced by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture and Food for Development. The report Why No Thought for Food argues that agriculture must be placed at the nation’s plans to fight poverty with at least 10% of its overseas aid budget being spent on farming and agriculture.
The enquiry received some 130 written submissions and took oral evidence directly from 29 of the most experienced and authoritative experts on agricultural development and food security from the UK, developing countries and international organizations.
NRI helped set up this parliamentary group and provides it with ongoing advice and support. The report which was presented to Parliament on January 27 was also published by the NRI.
Dr Guy Poulter, Director of NRI, who gave evidence to the enquiry says: “I very much welcome the publication of this Report. I hope that it will act to focus cross-party and wider public attention on the key issues of agricultural development and global food security at a time when the effects of the economic downturn are inevitably being felt hardest by the poorest of the poor in the developing world.”
The Natural Resources Institute is one of the leading agricultural research organisations in the UK. More than 70 staff provide research, consultancy, learning and advice to support sustainable development, economic growth and poverty reduction in the developing world.
Financial support for the Inquiry was provided by Action Aid, CAZS-NR Bangor University, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, Farm Africa, Find your Feet, International Agri-Technology Centre, John Innes Centre, University of Greenwich, Rothamsted Research and the UK Food Group.
ENDS
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