News Centre

Fascinated by Plants

17 May 2012

Dr Roberto Sonnino, of the Centre for Business Relationships Accountability Sustainability and Society (BRASS) be one of the speakers at a public debate on sustainable food in the evening of May 18. Held at the Museum, the debate is titled "Global food security: Can we feed the growing world population while also practicing more sustainable agriculture?". The debate will be chaired by agronomist and farmer, Jonathan Harrington and other speakers include Professor Peter Gregory (Chief Executive of East Malling Research) and Phil Bloomer (Director of Campaigns & Policy for Oxfam GB).

On Saturday May 19, the public will also invited to a series of talks, research demonstrations and tours of the laboratories in the Biomedical Building. This will illustrate the breadth of basic plant science and biotechnology research in South Wales and will introduce participants to some of the cutting edge technologies involved.

The first International Fascination of Plants Day, launched under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organization (EPSO, Brussels), is bringing together more than 450 institutions in 39 countries to celebrate the role of plant science in the social, environmental and economic landscape now and into the future. The goal is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture, in sustainably producing food, as well as non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

The South Wales event is one of more than 80 public events and activities which will be held by universities, institutes, botanic gardens, and other organizations in the UK.