UK project to tackle food industry sustainability challenges
The UK government has launched a project to understand the biggest technological challenges for the food industry as it aims to increase food production while reducing environmental impact.
The UK’s De
partment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) aims to map current R&D and innovation needs, and create a comprehensive review of current innovation activity post-farm gate. It aims to assess the food and drink value chain right through to reuse, recycling or landfill and the interactions between each step.
“The study will look at technological innovation and R&D activity across industry (i.e. large companies and SMEs) in the UK, initially at a high level, then in detail across 5-6 sectors of the value chain,” Defra said.
“The scope also includes identification of clusters of excellence in green food manufacturing in the European Union and internationally.”
Seeking industry participation
Defra is seeking views from industry via an online survey, to help it prioritise the drivers of innovation; specific scientific, technological or business management challenges; barriers to overcoming these challenges; and the specific research and innovation targets that Defra should focus on.
