In the 21st century, plant development researchers are facing the challenge of adopting integrated approaches to the investigation of the molecular mechanism underlying plant development at the genomic level as well as applying the basic knowledge to help meet the demand to produce more food to feed the increasing world population.
In the UK, the food industry has to meet increasing consumer demand for food and drink of consistently high quality in terms of safety and nutrition. In addition, the UK is continuing to experience the opportunities and challenges of the Single European Market. These factors have pushed the nation to invest in fundamental research of agricultural production and food, to improve the quality of the end product, to reduce pollution, and to improve disease resistance, from the aspect of molecular mechanism. As an added bonus, the research results have benefited the UK’s biopharmaceutical industry.
In accordance with the 10th National Economy and Society Development Five-Year Plan of PRC (2001-2005), which aims to increase the quality of people’s lives, China has been developing biological, agricultural, and medical technologies. It has been focusing on the research of these key technologies that relate to agriculture and pharmacology.
As part of INYS programme in 2005/6, the British Council will hold a symposium on plant development in the UK. A Chinese delegation will attend the symposium later this year.
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