Call for expertise - Science, Innovation and Technology Committee inquiry on Innovation and global food security

01 August 2025

The Microbiology Society is coordinating a response to a call for evidence by the UK Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology committee, as part of the committee’s inquiry on innovation and global food security.

The aim of the inquiry is to explore innovations and low-technology solutions that could improve agricultural practices around the world and to examine the UK’s role in contributing to global food security.

This is a valuable opportunity to ensure that microbiology is at the forefront of UK policy on agricultural innovation and global food security.

We have identified the following topics in the call of evidence that are relevant to the microbiology community:

• How scientific and technological innovations can be combined with low-technology practices to support global food security:
  • The role of biotechnology (e.g., genetic engineering and gene editing techniques such as CRISPR) in increasing crop yields and resistance to climate change.
  • The use of low-tech solutions that can be easily diffused.

• The UK’s role in achieving global food security:
  • How UK universities and research institutions can contribute to global solutions.

If you are a member of the Microbiology Society and wish to contribute to our response, please email [email protected] with your viewpoints by EOD Friday 8 August 2025.