Agriculture: Farming Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Cameron of Dillington
Main Page: Lord Cameron of Dillington (Crossbench - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Cameron of Dillington's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(13 years, 7 months ago)
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Lord Henley
My Lords, all I would say is “good for Gloucestershire”, but it is for Gloucester County Council to make that decision itself, not for central government.
Lord Cameron of Dillington
My Lords, on the innovation side of this Question, it is encouraging to note that the agricultural colleges seem to be attracting more students than in recent years. Can the Minister say how the Government are going to attract scientists into this area, which is very important? How are the Government going to give them the confidence to choose a career that will help us to solve one of the great problems of today, which is how we are going to feed 9.4 billion people in 30 to 40 years time?
Lord Henley
My Lords, I am not sure that I can solve that problem in a 20-word answer. Obviously we will find it difficult to feed another 3 billion people within the next 40 years. Technological and scientific changes will all play their part, as will the Government and the industry. However, at this stage it would be rash of me to give the noble Lord too lengthy an answer.