Farming and Food Science
Defra is working together with industry and consumers to secure a sustainable future for our food and farming industries, contributing to a better environment, improved health and prosperous communities.
Science can help by providing solutions- for instance to help us control diseases that might affect animals and crops. Scientific research is also helping us to understand the way in which food is grown, transported and produced and how this impacts on the environment and our health.
We are also keen to reduce the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment and are working to maintain and improve the biodiversity of plant and animal species.
Avian Influenza
One of the most immediate and pressing challenges for farming is the threat of an Avian influenza outbreak.
The fourth Defra Science Note answers some of the most common science
questions about Bird flu
(710 KB), including what H5N1 means, why we are so worried about H5N1,
whether we are experiencing a bird flu pandemic and what is the risk of
a human flu pandemic.
We welcome your views on the value and interest of Defra Science Notes, if you have any comments please send them to the science communication team or call 0207 238 2019.
Find out more about the Farming and Food Science Team.
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last modified: 9 June 2008
Page published: 19 January 2005