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Hilary Benn launches new research agency

   

NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 134/09
Date: 15 June 2009

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn will today launch the new Food and Environment Research Agency and open its state-of-the-art facility in Sand Hutton. The new agency combines several parts of Defra science, which will strengthen the world-class research Defra uses to help protect the natural environment.

Fera will strengthen Defra’s ground-breaking food, farming and environmental research programme. It brings together Defra’s Central Science Laboratory, Plant Health Division, Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate and the Plant Variety Rights Office and Seeds Division and UK Government Decontamination Service into one agency.

This will significantly strengthen Defra’s work in plant and crop protection, food chain safety, environmental risk assessment and crisis response, and promote better integration between policy development, scientific evidence and inspection services. The merger will also enable a more rapid response to protect the public interest, and remove delays for businesses involved in both national and international trade. 

Mr Benn said:

“I’m delighted to launch the new Food and Environment Research Agency today. As we face the challenge of climate change, we need strong scientific institutions to provide us with good, credible evidence.  The creation of FERA is a big step forward in doing this.”

Adrian Belton CEO of Fera said:

“I am delighted to welcome Hilary Benn to launch Fera today along with delegates who have travelled from all over the world to make this occasion. Fera undertakes research, regulation and rapid response work, so that we can help protect seeds, plants, bees and people.  Today’s launch has helped to raise the profile of Fera’s work in support of Government priorities and indeed how our world class science and innovation can be exploited more widely for the challenges facing society as well as business.”

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Page published: 15 June 2009