Select Committee · Science and Technology Committee (Commons)
Innovation and global food security
Status: Open
Opened: 21 Jul 2025
Inquiry scope
The United Nations has estimated that global food production would need to increase by 70% by 2050 to feed a population of 9.7 billion. Science, innovation and technology have a role to play in sustainably increasing food production. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is launching an inquiry to explore innovations – and the low technology solutions – that could improve agricultural practices around the world and examine the UK’s role in contributing to global food security. This inquiry will examine how scientific and technological innovations can be applied to the current agricultural system across the globe as well as methods of overcoming barriers to adoption. The committee will also explore wider solutions to challenges faced by the global food and agricultural sectors, with a particular focus on the UK’s role in achieving global food security. Read the call for evidence here:Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Jul 2026 |
Innovation and global food security
Charlotte Baker · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs,
Chris Danks · Innovate UK,
Dr Riaz Bhunnoo · UK Research and Innovation (UKRI),
Professor Anjali Goswami · Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith · University of Cambridge,
Professor Sir John Edmunds · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office,
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
|
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| 19 May 2026 |
Innovation and global food security; Oral evidence session
Ben Crowther · Lettus Grow,
Charles Veys · Fotenix,
Dr Cara Griffiths · SugaROx,
Dr Rhian Hayward MBE · AberInnovation,
Duncan Ribbons · Tropic Biosciences,
Rory Hornby · ALORA,
Ross Haffenden · Optigene
|
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| 4 Nov 2025 |
Innovation and global food security; Innovation showcase
Dr Hannah Cooper · University of Nottingham,
Dr Ismahane Elouafi · CGIAR,
Dr Phil Zegerman · Tropic Biosciences,
Duncan Ribbons · Tropic Biosciences,
Imran Afzal · National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre,
Professor Cristobal Uauy · John Innes Centre
|
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Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Duncan Ribbons · VP IP & Regulatory | Tropic Biosciences | 2 |
| Ben Crowther · CTO and Co-Founder | Lettus Grow | 1 |
| Charles Veys · CEO & Founder | Fotenix | 1 |
| Charlotte Baker · Director, Agri-Food Chain Directorate | Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs | 1 |
| Chris Danks · Head of Agri-Food | Innovate UK | 1 |
| Dr Cara Griffiths · Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer | SugaROx | 1 |
| Dr Hannah Cooper · Assistant Professor in Agronomy | University of Nottingham | 1 |
| Dr Ismahane Elouafi · Executive Managing Director | CGIAR | 1 |
| Dr Phil Zegerman · Associate Director Technology Development | Tropic Biosciences | 1 |
| Dr Rhian Hayward MBE · Chief Executive | AberInnovation | 1 |
| Dr Riaz Bhunnoo · Associate Director, Thematic Research Challenges and UKRI Food | UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) | 1 |
| Imran Afzal · CEO | National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre | 1 |
| Professor Anjali Goswami · Chief Scientific Advisor | Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | 1 |
| Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith · Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and the Arthur Balfour Professor of Genetics | University of Cambridge | 1 |
| Professor Cristobal Uauy · Director | John Innes Centre | 1 |
| Professor Sir John Edmunds · Chief Scientific Adviser and Director for Research and Evidence | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | 1 |
| Rory Hornby · Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder | ALORA | 1 |
| Ross Haffenden · Chief Commercial Officer | Optigene | 1 |
| The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington · Minister of State for International Development and Africa | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep 2026 | — | Correspondence from UK Research and Innovation to Chair, re. Follow-up to the Innovation and global food security hearing on 7 July 2026, 21 July 2026 |