Professor Guy Poppy has been appointed to the Assured Food Standards (AFS) Board, as Red Tractor’s new scientific adviser for agricultural and food science.
Professor Poppy is expert in food systems and security. He continues to conduct prominent research in both areas and advises governments on these issues around the world.
His role, to provide strategic insight and direction for the scheme regarding agricultural and food science, emphasises Red Tractor’s determination to ensure the relevance and robustness of the scheme’s standards in a post- Brexit world.
Red Tractor Chair Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe said: “This is a critically important time for Red Tractor to demonstrate strong leadership in protecting the integrity of the food chain and British agricultural standards.
“Our standards are the bedrock of the farming industry. So, it’s our duty to understand the implications of any changes in approach to the science of food production and farming. I am confident that Guy’s experience and skills will help us to navigate this process safely.”
Professor Poppy said: “I am really looking forward to joining the board of Red Tractor. Maintaining high standards in food has never been more important and I am looking forward to building a better food system. I am confident that certified standards through the Red Tractor scheme will play a major role.”
Professor Poppy is currently serving as a senior Professor at the University of Southampton, where he continues his research into global food security, and is the Director of a new £47.5 million Strategic Priorities Fund research programme focused on transforming the UK food system. His previous roles have included being the Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Principal Scientific Officer at Rothamsted Research.
His appointment from November comes as industry stalwart, David Clarke CBE, steps down from Red Tractor duties next month.
As a founding member of the scheme, David led the organisation as its CEO for 17 years, before continuing to provide guidance in his capacity as science Director on the AFS Board.
