A new strategy - UK plant science research strategy: a green roadmap for the next 10 years - sets out clear goals for research and innovation involving plants.
Addressing global challenges
The strategy is crucial to address a range of global challenges, such as reaching net zero to mitigate the effects of climate change, ensuring a sustainable and secure agri-food supply, protecting biodiversity and enhancing our environment, and addressing health and wellbeing issues within our populations.
This strategy was led and authored by Professor Jane Langdale CBE FRS, University of Oxford, and involved very extensive consultation with members of the research and innovation community.
The context of the current COVID-19 pandemic has increased appreciation of the importance of a robust food supply chain, and of access to green spaces for human health and well-being.
The strategy says: "This increased societal awareness now needs to be harnessed to ensure that current and future generations understand, value and support a strategy that firmly embeds plant science research and development into the broader UK science and innovation landscape."