WIREDGOV

An additional £1.5 million is being invested by the Scottish Government to ensure Scotland's scientists play their part in strengthening global food security.

The funding will contribute to collaborative UK work being led by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said that Scotland's science institutes are already recognised as world-leading in the field of food security research. This investment will provide an opportunity for them to share their expertise and work in partnership with others in the UK.

As the World Summit on Food Security gathered in Rome, Mr Lochhead said:

"The world is changing. With climate change, an increasing world population and threats of pandemic disease we know the abundance of a plentiful food supply can not be taken for granted.

"The number of people without food is at an all-time high of 1.02 billion - a shameful statistic for the 21st century and one that we cannot ignore.

"Scotland's first National Food and Drink Policy recognises the importance of food security and the global challenge of feeding a growing world population.

"Our nation's ability to produce quality food has an important part in meeting these challenges through utilising our natural land and sea resources in a sustainable way."

Professor Douglas Kell, BBSRC Chief Executive said:

"We strongly welcome this contribution from the Scottish Government to the food security agenda and are pleased to be working together with them to bring bioscience expertise to the problem of ensuring future food security.

"Bioscience will provide many of the answers to increasing global food production, but it takes time for excellent science to be translated into real life applications and so to meet the challenge we are facing in 20 years time, we must do this work now.

"This investment from the Scottish Government will help to bring in the necessary resources and ensure that the best people are working efficiently to provide the world with sufficient, nutritious food for the foreseeable future."

Global food security involves ensuring that there is enough food for everyone, that it is affordable, that all individuals have access to it and that the food provides the necessary mix of nutrients.