Reclaiming UK cropland for nature may be five times worse for global biodiversity than the benefit to local species

Prof Andrew Balmford, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2025

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Bovaer: some key lessons learned

Dr Geoff Mackey, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2025

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Cart before the horse? Why a land use framework should have preceded post-CAP farm policy development

David Hill, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2025

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30:50:50 vision - towards a new Innovation Agenda for UK Agriculture

George Freeman MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2025

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In our efforts to deliver for food security, biodiversity and the climate, focusing on so-called ‘nature-friendly’ land-sharing policies risks making things worse

Daniel Pearsall, Peter Button & Dr Derrick Wilkinson, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2025

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Now Britain can show international leadership on precision breeding in agriculture

Helen Sang & Tina Barsby, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2025

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The flawed thinking behind the “mimic nature” strategy in crop production

Andrew McGuire, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2025

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The importance of innovation in agriculture

George Freeman MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2024

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Consumers want affordable food with high standards of animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Thanks to innovation, they can have all three.

Professor Helen Sang OBE & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2024

 

Are Defra Ministers being misled by campaigning NGOs over farmland bird numbers?

Peter Button, Daniel Pearsall & Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2024

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​Britain's farmers need a hand up, not a hand out

David Hill, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2024

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Why we must keep the dialogue going on gene editing in farmed animals

Dr Craig Lewis, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2024

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What does the UK Government really mean by food security?

Prof Tina Barsby OBE, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2024

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The worst strategy for UK research is to go-it-alone and make all the results freely available!

Peter Button, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2024

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We cannot ignore the importance of food production when measuring farm-level sustainability

Dr Derrick Wilkinson, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2024

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Why Labour must press ahead with precision breeding in farmed animals

Professor Helen Sang, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2024

 

Superstition fuels the war on GMOs, not science

Jason Hayes & Craig Orji, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2024

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Organic campaigners are right to call out the supermarkets for ‘farmwashing’, but for all the wrong reasons

Dr Julian Little & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2024

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Is Britain one of the world’s most ‘nature-depleted’ countries?

Henrietta Appleton, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2024

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Food system transformations

Stuart Smyth, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2024

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Precision breeding: We must not repeat the mistakes of the GM debate

David Hill, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2024

 

Will climate change starve us all?

Alex Smith, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2024

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Posh nosh: With a gaping black hole in the public finances, why are British taxpayers still subsidising premium-priced organic food?

Dr Julian Little & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2024

 

Oilseed rape in crisis: But where is Defra's chief scientist?

Paul Temple, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2024

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Why we must stand up for intensive farming

Professor Helen Sang OBE & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2024

 

The ultimate irony. Organic farming exempt from EU greenwashing rules

Dr Derrick Wilkinson & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2024

 

Why humanity is good for nature

Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2024

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ELM: What are Defra ministers going to do about it?

Paul Temple, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2024

 

Supply chain interest in climate positive farming: is it a route to net zero?

Dr Nigel Davies, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2024

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Environmental NGOs are undermining society’s need for more climate-adaptive, sustainable farming

Stuart Smyth, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2024

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What will a Labour UK Government mean for agricultural science and innovation?

Prof Johnathan Napier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2024

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The world is richer than ever, but it’s not due to communism or capitalism, it’s science

Hank Campbell, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2024

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Unfinished business? Next Government must prioritise implementing rules for precision breeding in agriculture

Professor Mario Caccamo, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2024

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Yes, we can learn lessons from organic farming: it is not the way forward for a safe, secure or sustainable food supply

Matt Ridley & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2024

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Sustainable food production must focus on outcomes, not labels

Dr Derrick Wilkinson & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2024

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No big deal. Co-existence of precision bred and other crops in England

Julian Sturdy MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2024

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30% fall in UK organic area shows producers need access to better tools and technologies

David Hill, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2024

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As the EU stalls, England must not let precision breeding opportunity slip

Nigel Moore, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2024

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Our food system is not broken!

Professor Mario Caccamo, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2024

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Is UK agriculture facing a downward spiral?

Paul Temple, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, April 2024

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Fresh approach needed to secure UK organic seed supply

Dr Anthony Hopkins, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, April 2024

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Food labelling schemes are not helping consumers make informed sustainability choices, nor rewarding the most sustainable farmers

Dr Harriet Bartlett, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, April 2024

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What is (risk) appropriate regulation of gene editing technology?

Graham Brookes & Stuart Smyth, April 2024

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The importance of translating plant science into practice

Prof Mario Caccamo, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, March 2024

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ELMS: It’s time for Defra to go back to the drawing board, and listen to the science

Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, March 2024

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Sustainable Yield Growth – a gamechanger for the SDGs?

Dr Derrick Wilkinson, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, March 2024

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False dawn for gene edited crops in the EU?

Steven E. Cerier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, March 2024

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Why the Nuffield Council on Bioethics must revisit its report on genome editing in farmed animals

Professor the Lord Trees & Lord Curry of Kirkharle, February 2024

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Focus on genetics and IP needed to boost Britain's horticulture sector

Peter Button, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2024

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Crop biotechnology opponents are losing their war against genetic engineering, but the battle for science is not yet won

Steven E. Cerier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2024

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Harnessing the power of farm-level data

George Freeman MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2024

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Europe’s farmers are fighting for the ability to continue to farm

David Zaruk, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2024

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Is hi-tech, intensive livestock production more sustainable, more biosecure?

Earl of Caithness, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2024

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Gene editing: Is it time for full disclosure of all plant breeding methods?

Nigel Moore, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2024

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Throttle back on production to spite the supermarkets? Has UK farming finally lost the plot?

Paul Temple, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2024

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Radical rethink needed into how we regulate and incentivise the delivery of agricultural innovation in the UK

Professor Tina Barsby OBE, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2024

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Land use: OF&G claims for organic farming benefits don’t stack up

Daniel Pearsall & Dr Julian Little, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2024 

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IP in agriculture benefits everyone

Peter Button, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2023 

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Precision breeding: Food Standards Agency’s plans must not put England behind the EU

Karen Holt & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2023

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Can agriculture save the planet? Insights from COP28 and beyond

Jack Bobo, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2023

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Defra must publish a full impact assessment of farm policies on domestic food production

Julian Sturdy MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2023

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Which farming system better preserves insect populations: organic or conventional?

Jon Entine, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2023

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Regenerative agriculture – hype or hope?

Professor Mario Caccamo, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2023

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Britain’s organic producers must not be locked out of the gene editing revolution

David Hill, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2023 

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Time for a fresh look at the UK rulebook on using the GM method for crop improvement

Professor Jonathan Jones FRS, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2023 

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Label organic products, not gene edited, on food safety grounds

Daniel Pearsall & Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2023

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At last! A new, more science-based, outcomes-focused approach to defining regenerative agriculture

Dr Julian Little, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2023

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Reduce synthetic fertilisers and improve yields? The microbiome revolution comes to agriculture

Henry Miller & Kathleen Hefferon, Genetic Literacy Project, October 2023

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Agri-Tech Catapult is a sensible move - but it must learn from past mistakes

Professor Tina Barsby OBE, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2023 

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No such thing as natural farming

Maarten J. Chrispeels, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2023

 

UK plant breeders welcome 'quantum shift' in precision bred food and feed approval process for England

Robin Wood, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2023

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Quantifying the contribution of advanced livestock genetics to more sustainable protein production

Banks Baker, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2023

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In its 'zero tolerance' approach to gene editing, the organic sector may seal its own demise 

Paul Temple, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2023

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Is it ethical to hold back the promise of gene editing in livestock?

Dr Craig Lewis, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2023  

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Do Europe’s farmers support plans to ease restrictions on gene-edited crops?

Steven Cerier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2023

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Europe's Green Deal 'Farm to Fork' Plan: How Not to Grow Food Sustainably

Jon Entine, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2023

 

Feeding the UK sustainably: time for policy inaction to end

Graham Brookes, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2023

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No room for the Greens' blind prejudice in Scotland's gene editing debate

Rachael Hamilton MSP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2023

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Definitions matter

David Zaruk, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2023

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Regenerative agriculture doesn't have to be contentious: Take 2

Shane Thomas, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2023

 

Farming innovations to deliver Net Zero

Julian Sturdy MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2023

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Will EU switch eclipse England's lead on precision breeding?

Samantha Brooke, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2023

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Regenerative agriculture doesn't have to be contentious

Shane Thomas, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2023

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Streamlined regulatory approach needed to unlock precision breeding potential

Prof Mario Caccamo, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2023

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Current land use policies risk accelerating farming's environmental impact

Andrew Balmford & Ian Bateman, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2023

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Gene editing: It's time to change up the narrative, ScotGov

Finlay Carson MSP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2023

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Gene editing: a plan for survival

Alwin Schönberger, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2023

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Norwegian Committee set up to review advances in gene technology calls for ‘softening’ of regulation

Dr Julian Little, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2023

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Addressing the productivity gap in UK agriculture

James Wallace, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2023

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Economic Profitability, Environmental Sustainability, and Food Security: The dilemma of advancing all three equally

Dr Stuart Smyth, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2023

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Is the EU ready to join the global gene editing revolution?

Dr Petra Jorasch, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2023

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Antibiotics have no place in organic farming, but gene editing does

Lord Rooker, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2023

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Biotech can help make our food healthier, safer and more sustainable

Prof Johnathan Napier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2023

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Why the European Union needs to grow genetically engineered crops

Steven E. Cerier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2023

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Minding the gap: Where is the vision for UK food production?

Ian Munnery, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, April 2023

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The great organic seed swindle

Matt Ridley, Martin Jenkins & Daniel Pearsall, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, April 2023

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Post-CAP farming policies for England "lack scientific rigour"

Minette Batters, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, April 2023

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Is England's new gene editing law at risk of becoming an empty shell?

Nigel Moore, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, April 2023

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Time for a better debate about industry science, and so-called 'conflict of interest'

Prof Tina Barsby OBE, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, March 2023

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Farm to Fork: How the Ukraine war has exposed Europe's green farming plan as unsustainable

Steven E. Cerier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, March 2023

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We must use scientific evidence to drive best practice in sustainable agriculture

Dr Harriet Bartlett, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, March 2023

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The unnatural nature of food (Part 4)

Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2023

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European Court ruling on neonicotinoids further highlights ongoing EU regulatory inconsistency and dysfunction

Graham Brookes, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2023

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Transitioning to 'agroecology' would make zoonotic pandemics more likely

Val Giddings, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2023

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Gene editing: Is Labour really a pro-science party?

Professor Johnathan Napier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, February 2023

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“We must get out more” – Gene editing debate highlights the need for livestock scientists and specifically breeders to talk more openly

Dr Craig Lewis, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2023

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Precision Breeding Bill: Peers’ GM 2.0 style plans could put genome editing out of reach for smaller breeders

Robin Wood, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, January 2023

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Feeding 8 billion people has never been easier

Bill Wirtz, Discourse Magazine, January 2023

 

Land sparing policies can deliver biodiversity and climate targets at less cost to food production and at half the cost to taxpayers

Professor Andrew Balmford & Dr Lydia Collas, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2022

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Precision Breeding Bill could supercharge investment in UK crop innovation

Professor Mario Caccamo, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2022

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UK plant breeders support transparency on precision breeding techniques

Nigel Moore, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2022

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In farmed animals, gene editing could be a game-changer for disease control, animal welfare and the environment

Lord Trees, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, December 2022

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Wringing your hands or getting the ball rolling? Two approaches to decarbonising agriculture

Dr Julian Little, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2022

   

ELMS review is an opportunity to put scientific evidence and data at the heart of farm policy

Julian Sturdy MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2022

 

Gene editing - three simple questions for ScotGov

Finlay Carson MSP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2022 

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The unnatural nature of food (Part 3)

Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, November 2022 

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Mandatory labelling of crop biotech-derived foods: the evidence shows this is a failed regulatory policy

Graham Brookes, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2022

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Promoting Science for Sustainable Agriculture

Nigel Moore. Seed World Europe, October 2022 

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We must consider the ethical implications of not embracing genome editing in farmed animals

Professor Helen Sang, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2022

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ScotGov must adopt a more science-based approach on gene editing

Samantha Brooke, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2022

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Livestock breeding and sustainability

Professor Geoff Simm, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2022

 

Are anti-science campaigners trying to mislead over Precision Breeding?

Professor Tina Barsby OBE, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, October 2022

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The unnatural nature of food (Part 2)

Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2022

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We must look to scientific innovation in agriculture to deliver Net Zero

Julian Sturdy MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2022

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Innovation can support the goals of regenerative agriculture - but are technologies like gene editing in or out?

Professor Johnathan Napier, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, September 2022

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ScotGov must do the right thing by science on gene editing

Finlay Carson MSP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2022

​

Feeding Britain sustainably

Graham Brookes, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2022

​

The unnatural nature of food (Part 1)

Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2022

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National Trust lunacy shows why we urgently need a science-based land use strategy

David Hill, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2022

​

Respect the science - BBC must address ‘false balance’ in biotech coverage

Phil Lodge, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2022

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Defining and measuring agricultural sustainability

Julian Little, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, August 2022

 

Industrialisation of organic will seal its downfall

Matt Ridley, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2022

 

Time for bold Government action on crop genetic research

Jane Langdale, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2022

 

We need a much better conversation about science and technology in agriculture

Julian Sturdy MP, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, July 2022

 

Precision Breeding Bill: Plea to respect the science in the gene editing debate

Jonathan Jones, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2022

 

Precision Breeding Bill: let’s focus the debate on using scientific innovation for public good

Alan Tinch, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2022

 

The future for sustainable agriculture does not lie in turning back the clock. It must be rooted in science

Julian Sturdy MP, AgFunder News, June 2022

 

Intensive livestock farming may actually reduce the risk of pandemics

Harriet Bartlett, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2022

 

Role of science in sustainable agriculture: has the coronavirus pandemic led to a change of heart for the Prince of Wales?

Graham Brookes, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2022

 

Unwarranted ‘just in case’ provisions in Precision Breeding Bill could scupper plans for UK-based investment

Nigel Moore, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2022

 

We can learn from Health Canada’s science-based approach to gene editing regulation

Karen Holt, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2022

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Abandoning farmland for nature recovery

Alastair Leake, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, June 2022

 

Feeding the world was made possible by genetic science – we cannot stop now

Matt Ridley, Sunday Telegraph, May 2022

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Gene Editing: We need a much better conversation on consumer choice and labelling

Paul Temple, Science for Sustainable Agriculture, May 2022

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Gene editing is the definition of a 'green' technology

Johnathan Napier, Farmers Guardian, March 2022

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'We must learn lessons from the GMO debate'

Paul Temple, Farmers Guardian, September 2021

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Organic food isn't better for us - or the environment

Matt Ridley, The Spectator, July 2021

​

Covid-19 vaccines and genetic modification

Graham Brookes, Open Access Government, June 2021

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Time for a grown-up conversation about crop protection

Matt Ridley, Farmers Guardian, May 2021

 

Science for Sustainable Agriculture – a call to arms

Tina Barsby, European Seed, April 2021

 

Breaking away from EU rules on gene editing should be a no-brainer for Government

Julian Sturdy MP, Farmers Guardian, May 2020

 

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