13 October 2011
Speaking in Departmental Questions in the House today, George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, called on the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to comment on the important role agricultural science has to play in generating much needed growth for the UK economy. The appeal by George Freeman follows the announcement last week of the launch of high level phytonutrient ‘Beneforte Broccoli’ in UK shops.
This ‘Super Broccoli’, which was developed from publicly-funded research at two of the UK's world leading biological research institutes: the Institute of Food Research and the John Innes Centre, was created using conventional breeding methods to contain higher levels of Glucoraphanin, a beneficial chemical believed to explain the link between eating broccoli and lower rates of heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Speaking in the House George Freeman asked:
“Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the Institute of Food Research and John Innes Centre in my own Eastern Region for using their government funding to bring their high level phytonutrient ‘Beneforte Brocolli’ to market in the UK. It is a prime example of the key role agricultural science and innovation has to play in generating growth.”
Following his question to the Secretary of State George Freeman added:
“Too often we overlook the world class potential of our agricultural sector. With the global population rising to 9 billion there is the potential for huge new markets for our food science sector. Generating these new export markets is one of the best ways we can kick-start the knowledge economy into action.
I was delighted to hear the Secretary of State reinforce the Government’s commitment to science and innovation through continued Agricultural R&D investment and congratulate the department on their work, such as last year’s warmly received Taylor Review.”
FULL TEXT:
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): What recent assessment she has made of the role agricultural science can play in promoting growth. [73884]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): New science and innovation is essential to enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of the UK and wider EU agricultural sectors. As the House will know, Lord Taylor of Holbeach recently joined the ministerial team of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Lord Taylor is, of course, the architect of the Taylor review, which explored the role of science in agriculture, and which the Government are taking forward.
George Freeman: I thank the Secretary of State for that answer and congratulate her Department on everything that it is doing to drive a sustainable recovery and unlock growth in our agricultural sector. I am sure that she, like me, will have seen the news last week from the world-class John Innes Centre and the Institute of Food Research about the launch of the new glucoraphanin-enhanced broccoli with the potential to reduce heart disease and some cancers. Does she agree that our often overlooked agricultural research base has huge potential to unlock new markets around the world, and will she meet representatives of the sector and me to see what more we can do to help?
Mrs Spelman: I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. Not only did I read about the new variety of broccoli, but my right hon. Friend the Minister for Universities and Science actively referred to the benefits that it can bring. It is a very good example of the benefits of investing in research on agriculture and agri-food. The Government spend £400 million on agri-food research and development, and DEFRA spends £65 million per annum on agri-food R and D, including on animal health and welfare.
| Hansard
This ‘Super Broccoli’, which was developed from publicly-funded research at two of the UK's world leading biological research institutes: the Institute of Food Research and the John Innes Centre, was created using conventional breeding methods to contain higher levels of Glucoraphanin, a beneficial chemical believed to explain the link between eating broccoli and lower rates of heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Speaking in the House George Freeman asked:
“Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the Institute of Food Research and John Innes Centre in my own Eastern Region for using their government funding to bring their high level phytonutrient ‘Beneforte Brocolli’ to market in the UK. It is a prime example of the key role agricultural science and innovation has to play in generating growth.”
Following his question to the Secretary of State George Freeman added:
“Too often we overlook the world class potential of our agricultural sector. With the global population rising to 9 billion there is the potential for huge new markets for our food science sector. Generating these new export markets is one of the best ways we can kick-start the knowledge economy into action.
I was delighted to hear the Secretary of State reinforce the Government’s commitment to science and innovation through continued Agricultural R&D investment and congratulate the department on their work, such as last year’s warmly received Taylor Review.”
FULL TEXT:
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): What recent assessment she has made of the role agricultural science can play in promoting growth. [73884]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): New science and innovation is essential to enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of the UK and wider EU agricultural sectors. As the House will know, Lord Taylor of Holbeach recently joined the ministerial team of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Lord Taylor is, of course, the architect of the Taylor review, which explored the role of science in agriculture, and which the Government are taking forward.
George Freeman: I thank the Secretary of State for that answer and congratulate her Department on everything that it is doing to drive a sustainable recovery and unlock growth in our agricultural sector. I am sure that she, like me, will have seen the news last week from the world-class John Innes Centre and the Institute of Food Research about the launch of the new glucoraphanin-enhanced broccoli with the potential to reduce heart disease and some cancers. Does she agree that our often overlooked agricultural research base has huge potential to unlock new markets around the world, and will she meet representatives of the sector and me to see what more we can do to help?
Mrs Spelman: I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. Not only did I read about the new variety of broccoli, but my right hon. Friend the Minister for Universities and Science actively referred to the benefits that it can bring. It is a very good example of the benefits of investing in research on agriculture and agri-food. The Government spend £400 million on agri-food research and development, and DEFRA spends £65 million per annum on agri-food R and D, including on animal health and welfare.
| Hansard
