13


SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE T


he food industry in the UK, from farm to fork, is highly regulated and has a great reputation for food safety and quality. Standards already actively


support the sector in meeting its legal and business objectives, so the question might reasonably be asked; is there a case for more? For Sara Walton, BSI sector lead on food and drink, the answer is a fi rm yes. She does acknowledge, however, that a change of emphasis is needed. “Developing new standards and solutions could


support the innovation required to achieve sustainability, security of supply, food safety, provenance and waste,” said Sara.


“Our current standards relate in large part to food safety, hygiene, analyses and testing of specifi c ingredients to


ensure consumer protection. What’s changed is that we are now focusing on the food sector as a whole and the pressing


issues of sustainability and security of supply.”


The new approach is inspired by the


digital revolution impacting on farming and food production. Innovation is opening up new possibilities, such as precision farming (see page 14) and methods of improving micronutrients in plant- based food in a natural, sustainable way. The UN Sustainable Development Goals


Sara Walton


THE NEED TO FEED THE WORLD CLICK TO READ


FOOD FACTS CLICK TO READ


TIPPING THE SCALES TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY


A PAS (Publicly Available Specifi cation) is a fast- track standardization document. It defi nes good practice standards for a


product, service or process. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE


are also providing a


new lens through which governments, organizations and individuals can focus efforts


on globally important issues such as


food security. The UK Government is supporting


innovation through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund; in the ‘Transforming Food Production’ strand, £90m is being made available to industry and research bodies to improve the pace of innovation in food production. BSI’s standardization policy is aligned with the UK Government objectives on food, and BSI has historically close links with BEIS and


A researcher tends to vegetables growing on vertical farm. Vertical farming is an innovative approach to sustainable agriculture


now with UK Research & Innovation. For example, BSI was invited to contribute to the UK Government’s consultation on a National Food Strategy. “We are sending the message out,


‘Come and talk to us about your idea, your innovation, your business. We may be able to help develop solutions that can speed awareness of the innovation, defi ne its characteristics and get it widely accepted in the market.’” If you are interested in working with BSI on solutions for sustainable food innovation or would like to sponsor a Publicly Available Specifi cation (PAS), contact Sara at sara.walton@bsigroup.com


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