Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the level of funding for the research and development of innovative food products for international consumers.

Our Food Strategy sets out our ambition to promote innovative practices and technologies across the entire agri-food sector. This includes our plans to deliver a £270 million pound R&D Farming Innovation Programme; and partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to invest over £120 million in agri-food research. This will help drive uptake of R&D and innovation across the food system including in novel foods such as alternative and sustainable proteins. This will help create global opportunities for growth and contribute to the dietary needs of consumers and farming objectives.

Defra engages with other Departments and Devolved Administrations through the UKRI-led Global Food Security Programme, which coordinates research and innovation activity of public funders to address food system challenges.