ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY QUEEN'S ANNIVERSARY PRIZE

That this House congratulates Aberystwyth University for receiving a Queen's Anniversary Prize for the pioneering work carried out on plant breeding at the University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS); notes the work that has been carried out by IBERS to improve the quality of grass for grazing animals, reducing the methane emissions of livestock, which is crucial to combating climate change; further notes that IBERS has developed grass varieties for use in turf for sporting events, including on Centre Court at Wimbledon; acknowledges the importance of plant breeding research in meeting future challenges such as food and water security, sustainable living and overpopulation; welcomes the University's continuing contribution to plant research in Wales, the UK and globally; notes, however, that the University is having to make cuts to IBERS as a result of a shortfall of £2.4 million; and urges the Government to do all it can to continue to support the research carried out at IBERS.