With a growing demand for sustainable solutions to increasing food production, this seminar will assess progress and priorities as the UK Agricultural Technologies Strategy moves into its fourth year of implementation.
It will also be a timely opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the future policy landscape, and prospective challenges for investment and creating commercial opportunities for UK businesses in light of the EU referendum.
Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum Keynote Seminar: Next steps for agri-tech in the UK: investment, research and developing the Industrial Strategy
Timing: Morning, Tuesday, 7th February 2017 Venue: Central London
Draft agenda subject to change
8.30 - 9.00 Registration and coffee
9.00 - 9.05 Chair’s opening remarks Senior Parliamentarian
9.05 - 9.35 The way forward for the Agri-Tech Strategy David Wilford, Head of Food and Farming Innovation, Food and Farming Directorate, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions and comments from the floor Innovation in UK agri-tech - progress and priorities
9.35 - 9.45 Priorities for maximising the UK’s agri-tech innovation sector Dr Andy Cureton, Head of Business and Innovation, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
9.45 - 9.55 Sustainable food systems and agricultural innovation - the future of agri-environment schemes Dr Andrew Swift, Director, Science Division, Capita
9.55 - 10.05 Case study - Agri-Tech Catalyst project in action Dr Aoife Dillon, Chief Technology Officer, Exosect
10.05 - 10.15 The new Agrimetrics Centre - how best to harness big data in the agri-food industry David Flanders, Chief Executive Officer, Agrimetrics
10.15 - 10.40 Questions and comments from the floor
10.40 - 10.45 Chair’s closing remarks Senior Parliamentarian
10.45 - 11.10 Coffee
11.10 - 11.15 Chair’s opening remarks Senior Parliamentarian The new landscape for UK agri-tech - investment, partnerships and growth
11.15 - 11.25 Investment and economic opportunities in emerging sectors Calum Murray, Programme Lead, AgriFood, Innovate UK
11.25 - 11.35 ‘SME engagement’ Dr Tina Barsby, Chief Executive Officer, National Institute of Agricultural Botany
11.35 - 11.45 Industry partnerships and commercial opportunities for UK agriculture David Caffall, Chief Executive, Agricultural Industries Confederation
11.45 - 11.55 Boosting UK agri-tech overseas and accessing new markets Professor Janet Bainbridge, Chief Executive Officer, Agri-Tech Organisation, Department for International Trade
11.55 - 12.05 Collaboration models and investment partnerships in the global marketplace Mahvash Siddiqui, Environment, Science, Technology and Health Officer, U.S. Embassy London
12.05 - 12.25 Questions and comments from the floor
12.25 - 12.55 Delivering the Agri-Tech strategy across the UK Speaker confirmed from the Welsh Government Senior official Questions and comments from the floor
12.55 - 13.00 Chair’s and Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum closing remarks Senior Parliamentarian Michael Ryan, Deputy Editor, Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum