WHY SCIENCE MATTERS FOR FARMING CAMPAIGN

That this House welcomes the National Farmers Union campaign Why Science Matters for Farming, which aims to encourage students at colleges and universities to consider agricultural research as a possible career path; notes that the campaign will include a series of seminars focusing on different aspects of the scientific opportunities and challenges facing the farming industry; recognises the importance of new technologies such as anaerobic digestion for enabling farming businesses to prosper as part of a successful British economy; expresses concern about the recent trend of under-investment in agricultural research and development; and urges the Government to increase its spending on agricultural development to meet the challenges of animal health, environmental responsibilities and food production facing British farming.