UK Farmers and the Challenge of Food Security
University of Exeter - Centre for Rural Policy Research
About the award
In recent years, food security has returned to the UK policy agenda. Global projections of increased population and greater demand for food sit alongside the challenges of climate change and declining production in some parts of the world.
The Government has responded in a number of policy statements by setting out a positive vision for agricultural production in the UK and this has been welcomed by industry spokesmen. For the first time for nearly thirty years there is a strong policy imperative to increase agricultural production for global and national reasons.
However, despite increases in commodity prices, British farmers continue to face uncertainty due to higher input costs and the impact of regulation. At the same time public concerns over issues of environmental impact and farm animal welfare continue. The Royal Society has talked of the need for 'sustainable intensification', but it is unclear what that might mean for the practices and profitability of UK farmers.
The Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter is seeking a PhD candidate to explore how UK farmers will be affected by the renewed global policy emphasis on food security. The successful candidate will explore whether or not UK farmers are likely to benefit from this changing policy emphasis and what sustainable intensification might look like in the British context. Is there a viable future for UK agriculture in the context of higher input prices and tougher environmental regulations? What are the likely implications of the changing policy emphasis for the structure of UK agriculture?
The studentship will primarily be about policy impact and farmer behaviour, however the successful candidate will also need to have some understanding of agricultural science and husbandry.
Study information
Qualification: PhD
Study duration: Three years
Study mode: Full time
Start month: October 2011
Entry requirements: Applications are invited from final year undergraduates or masters students
Language requirements: www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/admissions/applying/english
Funding information
Funder: Centre for Rural Policy Research, University of Exeter
Value: The studentship will cover fees of £3,700 per annum and maintenance stipend of £13,590 per annum for three years. International fee applicants will be required to pay the difference between the Home/EU fee of £3,700 and the international fee of £11,900.
Contacts and how to apply
Academic contact:
Enquiries can be made to either Professor Michael Winter OBE: d.m.winter@exeter.ac.uk, Telephone +44 (0) 1392 723837
Administrative contact and how to apply: Elizabeth Hull: ssis-researchadmissions@exeter.ac.uk, Telephone +44 (0) 1392 724490
Application deadline: Monday 25 July 2011
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