A new inquiry by the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
will examine how science, innovation
and technology can be used to enhance global food
security.
The full terms of reference for this inquiry are below.
The United Nations projects that over 600 million people
worldwide will face hunger by 2030. As the global population
continues to grow to a projected 9.7 billion by 2050, the UN has
estimated that global food production will have to increase by
70%.
Innovative solutions are needed to sustainably increase
agricultural productivity and support global food security. This
inquiry will look at the scientific innovations and low
technology solutions that could do this, as well as the impact of
these innovations on global agriculture.
The cross-party committee will explore the UK's role in achieving
global food security, including how it can contribute to
innovative agricultural solutions, and the implications of the
global food production system on the UK.
The inquiry will also investigate the barriers to investing in
innovative agricultural solutions, as well as what a future
system that can support global food security may look
like.
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Chair, Dame
MP, said:
“The world's population projected to grow to nearly 10
billion by 2050. At the same time, agricultural land is degrading
faster than it can be restored and water is becoming scarcer.
This leads to the urgent question: how can we ensure everyone has
enough to eat, while protecting the
environment?
“Science and technology can help us find the answer. This
inquiry will look at this question, examining how scientific
innovations – and low-tech solutions – can ensure global food
security, solve problems in the food production system and create
sustainable agricultural practices.
“We'll consider the UK's contribution to global food
security, looking at both our role in fuelling this innovation
and how global food production changes will impact
us.”
Terms of reference:
The Committee welcomes written submissions on some or all of the
following points by 23:59 on Sunday 7 September:
- How scientific and technological innovations can be combined
with low technology practices to support global food
security:
- How emerging technologies developed outside agriculture, such
as AI, can support this aim.
- The role of biotechnology (e.g. genetic engineering and gene
editing techniques such as CRISPR) in increasing crop yields and
resistance to climate change.
- The ethical concerns associated with high-tech solutions in
agriculture.
- The use of low technology solutions that can be easily
diffused.
- The effects of these innovations on the global agricultural
system:
- Their effects on farmers and other agricultural workers, and
on availability of land and other resources.
- Whether technological dependence in agriculture could create
new vulnerabilities.
- The UK's role in achieving global food security:
- How the UK can contribute to advancing agricultural
innovation and promoting global food security, including through
policy, partnerships, trade, and overseas development
assistance.
- How UK universities and research institutions can contribute
to global solutions.
- The implications of global food production on the UK,
including around climate, health, migration, and security.
- Barriers to implementing these innovations within the
existing agricultural system:
- The investment and infrastructure needed to support
technological transition in agriculture globally.
- Steps to overcome these barriers
- The shape of a future agricultural system that can achieve
global food security:
- How innovation across sectors such as energy, transportation,
or infrastructure can support agriculture.
- The impact of technological solutions on inequality between
or within countries.
