Prof Chris Leaver,
University of Oxford

In 2000 the Twenty seventh Bawden Lecture was presented by Dr David A Evans, from Zeneca Agrochemicals, Fernhurst UK.

In his lecture, Dr Evans reviewed recent achievements of chemistry-based crop protection related to the promise of emerging technologies for the future production of food, animal feed and materials. He considered that the arrival of the millennium has found the crop management industry in a phase of unprecedented change and feels that it is in the technology arena that changes have been most profound.
A new paradigm has emerged for the invention of new crop protection chemicals in which several novel technology platforms combine to enable breakthrough innovation. Genetic modification of crops to introduce valuable traits is now firmly established, with remarkably rapid uptake of the technology by growers who seek the commercial and agronomic advantages on offer.
In spite of sustained technical and economic progress, the industry has been less successful in achieving the support of the general public for its activities. Compelling strategies for engagement of the public are required to ensure that technological progress is matched by economic success.

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Professor Christine Bruhn
from the Centre for Consumer Research, University of California, Davis, USA.

In 1999 the Bawden Lecture was presented by Professor Christine Bruhn from the Centre for Consumer Research, University of California, Davis, USA.

In her lecture Professor Bruhn proposed that communication is an integral step in innovation. New plant production and processing techniques serve no value if they are misunderstood or rejected at any stage of the food cycle. Effective communication among scientists, consumers, farmers, and retailers helps clarify values and leads to greater understanding of each group’s perspectives, concerns, and actions. This information exchange can lead to increased acceptance of innovation and can help scientists identify approaches to meet environmental and safety goals.

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Professor Martin Parry
from the Jackson Institute of University College, London, UK

In 1998 this was presented by Professor Martin Parry from the Jackson Institute of University College, London, UK.

In his lecture Professor Parry examined the effects global climate changes will have on the production and output of the world's crops. In a very detailed history of climate change, Professor Parry commented that nearly 90% of climatology researchers are convinced that the green-house effect is giving rise to global warming. Average global temperatures have risen by 0.5 degrees C over the last 30 years and could rise by a further 2-3 degrees. His paper suggests that European agriculture will fare better from global warming than the tropics and sub-tropics which will be disadvantaged.

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Dennis Avery, Director of the Center for Global Food Issues, 1997 Bawden Lecturer

In 1997 it was presented by Dennis Avery, Director of the Centre of Global Food Issues, The Hudson Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, US.

At the heart of his presentation was a simple message: when yields are raised you not only provide more food for people but you also save land, particularly that with more biodiversity, from being put under the plough. On this basis he argues that intensive farming is actually better for the environment as it prevents the incursion of low-yield agriculture into the very habitats which the world wants and needs to preserve.

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