The House of Commons Library and the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST) are invaluable sources of background information for researchers and campaigners. Three useful, food-related papers have just appeared.
PostNote 548, from the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology, looks at New Plant Breeding Techniques (NBTs), which include a range of emerging technologies (known as 'genome editing'), which aim to manipulate plant DNA to generate useful traits rapidly. There is debate over whether these techniques should be regulated, and whether they fall within the scope of EU legislation on Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs).
The House of Commons Library has produced two papers, one on the forthcoming Soft Drinks Industry Levy, and one on obesity statistics in the UK. Each provides a concise, state-of-play summary of the issue and its context.
Sustain campaigned successfully for the soft drinks levy, as part of its work to promote healthier children's diets and to combat obesity. Read more here.
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.