Sustainable Farming and Food Research Priorities Group (RPG)
Purpose
The Sustainable Farming and Food Research Priorities Group (RPG) has been set up as an independent and open source of advice on research priorities on sustainable farming and food. The primary function of the RPG will be to identify the research agenda for Defra so that it underpins the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy. Its aim will be to achieve better vertical integration in the research community from the Research Council base through to Levy bodies and Industry. At the same time it will develop better cross-sector working and joint initiatives to create better cohesion in the farming and food research area.
Stakeholder Workshops
To inform their decisions on research priorities the RPG embarked on a significant stakeholder engagement exercise during the summer of 2004. In order to consult as wide a range of stakeholders as possible, the RPG held a series of interactive workshops to which representatives from organisations throughout the farming and food chain were invited to attend. At each workshop, attendees were asked to consider potential research needs in the farming and food arena and to enter those ideas into a laptop computer. These computers were linked together, allowing all attendees to see each other's ideas and to comment on them. This resulted in several 'electronic conversations' taking place simultaneously, significantly increasing the efficiency of the consultation process. All of the ideas and comments were automatically recorded for future reference.
Each workshop focussed on a different aspect of the farming and food industries.
- Further details of the subjects examined at each workshop can be seen here.
- Verbatim reports for each workshop are available here.
A generic set of the briefing materials for the workshops and the introductory letter explaining the process are still available for information.
For further details of the process used for these workshops see here.
We would like to thank all of you who participated in the workshops.
RPG Reports
First Report
The RPG used the information generated at the workshops to produce their first report of recommendations for Defra (and other relevant funders). The report was published in March 2005 and is available below.
Second Report
The Second Report from the RPG assesses the response of Defa and other public funders (including Levy Bodies) to the 40 priorities identified in the First Report, and also looks at ways to improve co-ordination between funders.
- The Full Report is available here (0.9 MB)
- Supporting documents, and the formal responses from funders, are available here (7.4 MB)
The Next Steps
The report addresses the first of our terms of reference. Our next task will be to consider how we might build on existing arrangements and improve co-ordination between the various funding organisations. We intend to produce a second shorter report in late 2006. This will address how funding organisations have responded to the recommendations and discuss our activities to facilitate improvements in co-ordination between research funders.
Terms of Reference
- To advise Defra on strategic priorities for publicly-funded research in support of sustainable farming and food industries in the UK, taking into account the strategic direction of UK and EU farming policy and EU research activity.
- To inform other farming and food research funders and the research community of these priorities.
- To identify means of improved co-ordination and integration of the funding and delivery of relevant publicly-funded research addressing the identified strategic priorities.
- To publicise the strategic priorities identified and progress towards addressing them.
Membership
The Group is chaired by Professor Chris Pollock, Director of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, and is comprised of nine independent experts. Click here for membership details.
Meetings of the RPG
The inaugural meeting of the RPG was held on 6 October 2003, with the Group meeting approximately every four months thereafter (or ad hoc as required). Papers and minutes of all the meetings are published on this web page after each meeting.
Future Plans
The RPG has been established on a temporary basis and will be reviewed in 2006. It is envisaged that members will serve for three years in the first instance. Future appointments will be made through the Nolan procedure.
Contact Details
For more information, please contact sqp.enquiries@defra.gsi.gov.uk
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last modified: 13 December 2006
Page published: 13 December 2006