Global population increases in the next 50 years will have significant impact on the size and
nature of food demand. Climate change is also affecting the global food system, disrupting
temperature and rainfall patterns. We are working to understand these two primary drivers
and working with partners to apply this knowledge to adapt agricultural practices to mitigate
against extreme weather events, changes in land use practices and increasing urbanisation
and consumption habits.
Food Security & Safety
134
2.
Drivers of change
APPLICATION AREAS
•
Biotechnology
•
Defence and security
•
Financial and business services
•
Food supply
•
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
•
Society and community
•
Sustainability
Keywords
Animal disease, food
Expertise
The University’s expertise in the areas of animal disease
and welfare, food production and security; and poverty
alleviation, all contribute to our important role to inform
decision-makers regarding new policy initiatives and
legislation.
Livestock production, for example, forms an important
component of food security internationally. We not only
look at the mechanisms of production processes and
supply chains, but also investigate the psychology and
sociology of animal health and production. We examine
the key issues in livestock production in both developed
and developing countries; our work informs policy-
decisions on more efficient and safer husbandry
techniques and systems which are suited to the
local social context whilst also meeting the demands
of consumers.
The global food supply chain is extremely complex, but
through interdisciplinary research we are beginning to
understand how different components of the food supply
network interact and affect one another. We can apply
our expertise in modelling and network theory to evaluate
the behaviour of populations – the interactions between
distant farms or the social behaviours within animal
groups, for example – to understand how diseases are
transmitted between and within herds. Our insights help
to shape agricultural regulatory mechanisms and disease
control policies.
Similarly our expertise in zoonoses, food safety and
animal and crop production provides evidence that will
shape policies that try to avoid any future global food
crisis due to climate change or population growth.
We are also committed to eradicating inequalities in
society and promoting sustainable development.
Our extensive expertise on food production helps to
address poverty by improving the health and productivity
of the livestock of poor subsistence farmers in
developing countries. Our findings also feed into health
and anti-obesity initiatives and individually tailored
disease prevention programmes.
Relevant centres and groups
National Centre for Zoonosis Research.
2.1
Policy and decision making
Also see:
Environment & Climate Change –
3.3
Climate change and emerging
infections, page 64
Health & Wellbeing –
3.
Animal health and welfare, page 22
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
