Sustainable food production systems
The roles of biotechnology, conventional and organic approaches in farming systems are being debated in both the EU and NZ. Biotechnology has enormous potential to meet sustainability goals and offers real benefits to producers and consumers world-wide as described in Area 5.4.6: Safer and Environmentally Friendly Production Methods and Technologies and Healthier Foodstuffs. Its lack of uptake is primarily due to consumers rejecting the innovative technology and the failure of researchers and industry to consider adequately consumer perceptions. It is an important area that will be helped by learning from shared experiences.
