I'm an agro-ecologist based at the University of Leeds, with interests in sustainable agriculture, land management and food production. My research has addressed competition between arable weeds and crops; the impacts of farming systems on biodiversity (including organic and GM); national surveys of biodiversity and land use; the assessment of ecosystem services from agricultural land; systems for measuring and monitoring ecological processes; defining and measuring the concept of sustainable intensification of farming and ensuring a sustainable and secure system of food supply for cities.
If you want to look at my photos (including of research sites and visits) you have come to the wrong place - you should be here
If you want to look at my photos (including of research sites and visits) you have come to the wrong place - you should be here
Return to China
I revisited the Nanjing Agricultural University and the Nanjing University in April. As ever I was bowled over by their hospitality, and also by their ambition. But the highlight this time was a visit to an organic farm, which looked quaint, but was anything but, integrating marketing, high value produce with a sophisticated food production system. See the blog.
I revisited the Nanjing Agricultural University and the Nanjing University in April. As ever I was bowled over by their hospitality, and also by their ambition. But the highlight this time was a visit to an organic farm, which looked quaint, but was anything but, integrating marketing, high value produce with a sophisticated food production system. See the blog.
The Environmental Risk Assessment of Gene Drive Modified Insects
It is now possible to engineer insects so that they can display traits that would not normally spread through natural selection. This means that it may become possible to control populations of pests and disease vectors by manipulating their genetics, with potential benefits to people but also raising the possibility of affecting ecosystems in unpredictable and undesirable ways. EFSA has been asked by the European Commission to check whether the environmental risks of such releases would be covered by existing regulations, and in turn I have been asked to chair a new Working Group looking into this. The key is to understand what the risks might actually be. We have therefore announced a workshop in May that will work with stakeholders to help with the problem formulation, using insect vectors of human diseases and or insect crop pests as examples.
It is now possible to engineer insects so that they can display traits that would not normally spread through natural selection. This means that it may become possible to control populations of pests and disease vectors by manipulating their genetics, with potential benefits to people but also raising the possibility of affecting ecosystems in unpredictable and undesirable ways. EFSA has been asked by the European Commission to check whether the environmental risks of such releases would be covered by existing regulations, and in turn I have been asked to chair a new Working Group looking into this. The key is to understand what the risks might actually be. We have therefore announced a workshop in May that will work with stakeholders to help with the problem formulation, using insect vectors of human diseases and or insect crop pests as examples.
Results from the Sustainable Intensification Research Platform
The results from the recent Defra-funded Sustainable Intensification Research Platform (SIP) are now out. You can see the results of the analysis of the performance of commercial farms, and of consideration of the practices they may favour, can be found here.
The results from the recent Defra-funded Sustainable Intensification Research Platform (SIP) are now out. You can see the results of the analysis of the performance of commercial farms, and of consideration of the practices they may favour, can be found here.
The summer of '18, should we be worried?
Given what's happening in our fields in this hot, dry weather, perhaps we should be .... see the blog here
Given what's happening in our fields in this hot, dry weather, perhaps we should be .... see the blog here
Appointed to the European Food Standards Authority GMO panel 2018-21
I'm delighted to say I've been appointed to the EFSA GMO panel, which means I'll be involved in the guidance to the EU on the environmental riskjs associated with the releases on GMOs in Europe. I'm really looking forward to my first meeting in July.
I'm delighted to say I've been appointed to the EFSA GMO panel, which means I'll be involved in the guidance to the EU on the environmental riskjs associated with the releases on GMOs in Europe. I'm really looking forward to my first meeting in July.
We want to make the Leeds food system provide healthy, sustainable food to those who need it.
But how can we do this? We need your help. If you live in and around Leeds, or care about our city's food, please sign the Leeds Food Charter. Also, the Leeds Food Partnership has developed a draft Food Action Plan for the city ... this is now out for consultation. Please let us know your ideas, what you are already doing as individuals, organisations and businesses, and most importantly, what you are planning to do in the near future. See the LFP website for more details.
But how can we do this? We need your help. If you live in and around Leeds, or care about our city's food, please sign the Leeds Food Charter. Also, the Leeds Food Partnership has developed a draft Food Action Plan for the city ... this is now out for consultation. Please let us know your ideas, what you are already doing as individuals, organisations and businesses, and most importantly, what you are planning to do in the near future. See the LFP website for more details.
