FDBusiness.com

Queen’s University, Belfast is to develop a £30 million state-of-the-art research centre as part of its existing Institute for Global Food Security, which conducts pioneering work on food security systems. The Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University is headed by Professor Chris Elliott (pictured), who recently completed the Government report on the UK’s food supply chain published by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the wake of the horsemeat scandal.

The Institute is internationally recognised for its excellence in research and teaching. Indeed, the Institute for Global Food Security will be a key partner in national and global efforts to provide the world’s growing population with a sustainable, safe and secure supply of high quality food.

“Our objectives are to make a real difference when it comes to addressing the challenge of feeding the extra two billion people that will make up the world’s population in just 30 years’ time,” says Professor Elliott. “There is also the challenge in delivering lifelong health benefits.”

In addition to working on projects with an international perspective, the institute also takes a proactive role in Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry.

“The fundamental challenge facing agriculture in Northern Ireland is that of developing a sustainable future against a backdrop of markets that are becoming truly international,” he points out. “As a consequence, we must produce food of greater quality. In addition, the farming and food industries must become more consumer focused.”

Indeed, the institute is at the centre of Northern Ireland’s ‘Food Fortress’ strategy.