These are currently being updated to reflect the change to AHRF
Terms of Reference of the
Applied Research Forum for
Farming & Food
Background
One of the recommendations made by the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food(1) was that industry Levy Bodies and Government should improve the co-ordination of their Applied Farming and Food research, avoid duplication and maximise synergy. The Policy Commission envisaged the establishing of an Applied Research Forum for this purpose.
Several meetings have been held by the Agri-food Levy Boards to develop the objectives and terms of reference of the Forum. These were agreed at a meeting of Levy Board Chairmen on 17 December 2002.
Objectives
1. To establish at Technical Director level, across all Levy Boards, a broad understanding of each organisation's strategic needs.
2. To identify gaps in knowledge in areas of Levy Board strategic need where a collaborative Research & Development approach would be warranted and to establish appropriate Strategic and Applied Research & Development programmes in such areas ensuring that overlap and duplication is avoided. The importance of environmental issues is one area of significance including water usage and quality, carbon economics and biodiversity.
3. To influence Government prioritisation and investment in Agri-Food Research & Development through dialogue with Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), The Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and through participation in the Government's Research Priorities Group (RPG). This influence may extend into other areas of Government, for example the Department of Trade & Industry and the Environment Agency.
The establishment of the RPG is one the recommendations of the Policy Commission on the future of Farming and Food. This Group would set the agenda for public research on farming and food matters. The knowledge which Levy Boards possess on understanding consumer needs and supply chain issues are key components which the Applied Research Forum brings to the RPG.
4. To provide a mechanism to direct and lead the improvement of whole agri-food supply chain competitiveness and consumer value to help ensure retention of a strong production base in the UK that is sustainable in profit terms while encompassing environmental and food safety issues.
5. To provide a mechanism to maximise co-funding opportunities in undertaking of Research and Development in particular in collaboration within the EU and accessing EU funding.
6. To provide the mechanism for exchange, across the Levy Boards, best practices in areas of common interest. Examples include knowledge transfer to industry, research management and consumer research.
7. To provide a Forum for an integrated approach from the Levy Boards to future Government Agri-Food Foresight Programmes.
Membership
Core Membership of the Applied Research Forum will consist of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and the Technical Directors of Horticultural Development Council, Home Grown Cereals Authority, British Beet Research Organisation, Milk Development Council, Meat and Livestock Commission, Processors & Growers Research Organisation and British Potato Council. Members from Government and Trade Associations to be invited to participate in the Applied Research Forum will include:
1. Head of Agriculture, Environment and Food Technology Division - Defra
2. Head of Agricultural & Biological Research Group - SEERAD
3. Director Welsh Assembly Government Agriculture & Rural Affairs Department
4. Chief Scientific Adviser, Department of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland
5. Head of Agri-Food Directorate - BBSRC
6. Head of Food, Health & Science - NFU England &Wales
7. Policy Director - NFU Scotland
8. Head of Radiological Protection and Research Management Division - Food
Standards Agency
Chair and Deputy Chair of the Applied Research Forum
The Chair of the Applied Research Forum will be undertaken by a Chairman of one of the Levy Boards or, in his absence, by a Deputy Chairman who is also a Chairman of one of the Levy Boards. The Chairmanship will extend for two years with the Deputy Chairman becoming the subsequent Chairman. To ensure balance the Chairman and Deputy Chairman shall separately reflect arable and livestock backgrounds.
Role of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman
The Chairman will chair Applied Research Forum meetings, approve Minutes and lead and direct the setting of the Forum's agendas and deliverables. In his/her absence this role will be provided by the Deputy Chairman.
A key role will be in liaison with the lead Technical Director and his/her Deputy (see below).
The Chairman, along with the 'Lead' Technical Director, will be the public voice of the Forum and will provide feedback to Levy Board Chairmen/Chief Executives on progress.
'Lead' and Deputy 'Lead' Technical Directors of the Applied Research Forum
The Lead Technical Director will take the primary role in the Applied Research Forum. He/she will be selected from the Levy Board Technical Directors or their contracted individuals playing an equivalent role. The appropriate person will have the range of skills and experience along with the persona this very visible and influential position will require, it is recognised that the "best person" is appointed at all times.
The Deputy Lead Technical Director will be selected in a similar manner from the Levy Boards working in the other phylum so that the Lead and Deputy Lead separately reflect plant based and animal based production sectors.
The Chairmen of the Levy Boards will convene and select candidates for the two roles with one vote per organisation. The offices of the Lead and Deputy Lead Technical Director will be reviewed after one year and can be renewed with consensus agreement of the Levy Board Chairmen. If the position is extended, on the basis of best person for the job, the issue of fairness in resourcing will be addressed at the Chairmen's' meeting.
Role of the 'Lead' and Deputy 'Lead' Technical Directors
The 'Lead' and Deputy 'Lead' Technical Directors will need to have a broad understanding of Levy Board strategic needs and gaps in research while being excellent communicators. The Lead Technical Director will be the Forum's representatives on the RPG - the issue of continuity on the RPG will be addressed at the first full year's Chairman's Review.
The 'Lead' or Deputy Technical Director will provide the Forum's Secretariat support from his/her Levy Board and will be responsible for co-ordination of the work undertaken by the Forum and for the production of an Annual Report.
He/she will also provide feedback to the Forum's Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
The 'Lead' Technical Director will facilitate the running of workshops, as required, although it is envisaged that management of these will be outsourced from organisations with appropriate skills.
The Deputy 'Lead' Technical Director will provide support and assistance to the 'Lead' Technical Director and will deputise for him/her as required.
Role of Other Levy Board Technical Directors
Within the context of the Forum, it is envisaged that Levy Board Technical Directors, possessing a clear understanding of their own Levy Board strategic needs, will communicate these to their colleagues in other Levy Boards such that the objectives of the Forum can be pursued. They may also undertake specific tasks in connection with Topic Workshops and any specific sub groups which may be set up to address specific research issues.
Funding
Costs of the Secretariat will be provided by the 'Lead' Technical Director's Levy Board (negotiable if position extended). For Year One activities it is agreed that each of the seven Levy Boards commits £3K to cover project work such as the Annual Report and publications i.e. £21k in total. Funding for subsequent years shall be determined against agreed needs. Amendments to funding will be subject to agreement by Levy Board Chairmen.
Frequency of Meetings
It is envisaged that the Forum will meet three times as a maximum in Year One, although in addition, individual workshops will be undertaken.
Linkage
Part of the purpose of the Forum is to facilitate strong networking. It is intended that the Forum will build upon existing relationships between Academia, Government, Trade Associations and Industry and have influence on the setting of Basic and Strategic Research in the Agri-Food sector.
Year One Outputs
The outputs from the Forum at the end of Year One activities shall include :
1. The achievement of a broad understanding among Technical Directors of each other's organisation's strategic needs, aims and applied research synergies.
2. Identification of opportunities for collaboration in areas of common interest.
3. Undertaking of two workshops to share experiences of best practice.
4. Input to the RPG and to DEFRA, SEERAD, BBSRC and FSA.
5. The publication of an Annual Report of the Forum activities.
6. A debate of Chairmen of the Levy Boards on progress and output of the Forum.
Reference :
(1) Farming & Food, a sustainable future. Policy Commission on the future of Farming & Food. January 2002.
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