Former FSA Chief Scientific Adviser joins Red Tractor Board

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 is to provide strategic insight and direction for the scheme regarding agricultural and food science.

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.”

Guy 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.

He replaces David Clarke CBE, who will step down from Red Tractor duties next month.