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British farmers urgently need all the tools that science can offer if they are to meet the challenges of the 21st century, NFU President Peter Kendall will say today. He will tell an audience at the internationally-renowned John Innes Centre in Norwich that science is as important now as it was during the ‘green revolution’ of 50 years ago, when improvements in areas such as plant breeding and machinery gave a massive boost to crop productivity. Farmers can help mitigate climate change, meet their environmental responsibilities and feed a growing population but they must have the latest technology, from new crop varieties to vaccines, he will say. And he will warn that Britain and the rest of the European Union risks getting left behind if they do not invest more in vital research and development. Mr Kendall will be delivering the Friends of the John Innes Centre annual lecture on the theme of ‘Science for 21st century agriculture - how to farm for food, fuel and the environment’. He will say that science and technology have been crucial in agricultural history, allowing huge leaps forward in production and food safety and supporting major population growth. But the challenges for the 21st century are greater still. Farmers will have to grow more food in the next 50 years than over the past 10,000 years combined, while also contributing to energy security by growing crops for renewable fuels. Mr Kendall will say that yield increases have started to slow and climate change means farmers are facing an increasingly difficult battle with nature to produce crops. Future progress requires the government to base regulation and policy on sound science and to overcome any fear and mistrust of technology in food production. It is also vital that scientists concentrate on research projects with a practical application for agriculture at the end of them, such as finding ways of adapting to and mitigating climate change. He will also highlight the exciting opportunities available in both science and agriculture and the chances that are available for people to work within the industry and for the benefit of the industry. “Science and technology are essential in meeting the climate change challenge and making the most of the opportunities it will offer to British farmers,” Mr Kendall will say. Notes to editors: The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology. Its mission is to carry out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists, and to make our findings available to society. Mr Kendall will be giving his lecture at 7pm. -ends-
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