Food Security to be the Top Issue for EU's Science Chief

At ECPA's Food Supply Forum, Experts Agree That Adapting Food Production and Modes of Agriculture Will Require Science-Based Solutions

BRUSSELS, December 1 - Prof. John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK
government, asserted that all agricultural policy must be founded on science
and have a sound evidence basis. "Having a chief scientific advisor with the
responsibility to look at all stages of policy development has real potential
to improve policy-making," he said. Beddington delivered a keynote address at
the "Food Supply Forum: Choices & Implications" event in Brussels, organised
by the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA).

"Food security is not an unfortunate condition of some distant
land but a very European problem," said Jacques du Puy, President of ECPA.
"The biggest threat may not be nature, but ideological clutter that tends to
obscure our vision. What we need is evidence, scientifically valid evidence."

Beddington depicted what he calls the 'perfect storm' in the
making with four drivers: energy, water, food and climate.

Wrapping up the food supply forum moderator Neil Parish,
former Chairman of the European Parliament's agriculture committee called for
food security to be the key issue for the EU's coming Science Advisor.

The event, which attracted an audience of more than 150 to the
Concert Noble, was designed to explore competing visions of food security and
how Europe can best meet its supply challenges. Following Beddington's
opening remarks, a lively and open debate took place.

Debate participants examined the impact of various issues such
as population growth, food shortages, food pricing, climate change,
biodiversity on the food supply. The panellists were as follows:

    - John Beddington, UK Government's Chief Scientific Adviser
    - Ariel Brunner, BirdLife
    - Willy de Greef, EuropaBio
    - Timothy Hall, DG Research, EC
    - Jacques du Puy, ECPA
    - Peter Melchett, UK Soil Association
    - Frederic Simon, EurActiv

The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) represents the
crop protection industry interests at European level. Its members include all
major companies and national associations across Europe. For more
information: www.ecpa.eu.

Photos available upon request.

For more general info: www.pesticideinformation.eu

Contact: Phil Newton, Senior Manager Communications, European Crop Protection Association, aisbl, Tel: +32-(0)2-663-1550, phil.newton at ecpa.eu