Govt launches partnership to tackle agricultural challenges
27th January 2022
The UK Agriculture Partnership (UKAP) is a new forum, which the government says will bring stakeholders together to work on shared issues facing the sector.
The new partnership is set to explore topics such as on-farm water usage optimisation, the role of science and agri-tech in supporting food production, and solutions to reduce pollution and carbon emissions in the sector.
UKAP’s first meeting is taking place today (27th January) at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, and will focus on water quality. Attendees will hear from a range of experts who will set out the challenges the UK is facing, and discuss solutions for improving water quality across the agriculture sector.
Sustainable agriculture has a key role to play in helping to solve pressing issues such as biodiversity decline, meeting net zero targets and growing the food needed to feed an increasing population.
Universities, agricultural colleges, research institutes and agri-tech centres from across the UK are playing a central role in pioneering world-leading new approaches, The government says UKAP will provide a platform for academics, experts, industry players and farming stakeholders to share scientific knowledge and best practice to learn from each other to identify innovative solutions to common problems.
Attendees for today’s event include researchers, water body representatives, farming organisations, NGOs, as well as the Northern Ireland executive minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs, Edwin Poots.
Environment secretary, George Eustice, commented: “I am launching the UK Agriculture Partnership to share UK-wide best practice, ideas and innovation – and to tackle some of the common challenges we face, from enriching our soils and reducing the environmental impacts of agriculture, to how best use technology and science to boost our food production ambitions.
“We are bringing together farmers, farming unions, environmental groups, agricultural colleges and associations so that we can tackle practical challenges together.”
Agriculture minister for Northern Ireland Edwin Poots added: “I would like to thank SoS George Eustice, MP for inviting me to speak today. Our agriculture sector has shared issues across the United Kingdom so I hope that this forum provides a platform for collaboration and information sharing from all parts of the United Kingdom in the future.”
Wales Office minister, David TC Davies, said he believes the Welsh agriculture sector will be strengthened by a collaboration with experts and partners across the UK, making sure the voice of Welsh farmers is heard.
“This is a great opportunity to exchange ideas and expertise and forge new partnerships, ensuring that the issues faced by farmers are tackled together.”
UK government minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, also welcomed the launch. “Agriculture is one of Scotland’s great success stories. The UK government wants to bring experts, researchers, farmers and policy makers from all parts of the UK together to improve collaborative working and find innovative solutions.”
