Solving this problem involves a variety of different approaches, including:

• Crop breeding for improved yield
• Reducing losses from pests
• Combatting livestock diseases that affect welfare and meat quality
• Helping farmers understand how to adapt to changing weather patterns

Our partnership is already addressing this important issue through innovative research such as understanding crop genetics and pest resistance, investigating bee declines to ensure better crop pollination, and improving the welfare of farm animals in a changing environment.

We are therefore able to offer research-led training at the highest level across:

• Animal health and welfare - supported by scientific, animal behaviour and veterinary expertise across the partnership. You will have access to world-class facilities for poultry and livestock research as well as access to working farms and a state-of-the-art large animal production facility (Newcastle, Liverpool). The Institute of Infection and Global Health (Liverpool) has 'improving the health welfare of animals from parasitic and microbial disease' at the centre of its mission.
• Human diet and health is the focus of the Human Nutrition Research Centre (Newcastle), facilitating training in themes relevant to food security.
• Molecular genetic techniques and functional genomics of crop plants through our Centre for Crop Improvement Technology (Durham), Molecular Agriculture Group (Newcastle) and Plant Science Group (Liverpool).