Summary of the meeting of the Applied Research Forum
held on 28 September 2004

Matters Arising
It was decided that a decision on setting up a working party on risk assessment should be deferred
pending a government review.

BBSRC confirmed that a formal link between the AgriFood Committee and the ARF would be
established through  Dr Gill of MLC. In addition, Prof Jellis had been invited to be a member of the new
BBSRC Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Panel.

Reports of Meetings
The workshop on organic 'wastes' on agricultural land had been attended by a group of invited delegates. It had highlighted the need for better techniques to characterise the nutritive value of organic materials, both from the research standpoint and in transferring the knowledge to growers.

The BPC had organised a workshop on the water framework directive, and the group was encouraged to continue to work together.

Evidence of joint knowledge transfer activites was produced:  a Soil and Crop Management Issues supplement in Crops magazine, a flyer for a joint conference on nutrition and management for improving pig health and productivity and a BPEX article for "Pig World" relating HGCA work on grain quality to pig health.

Reports of Planned Activities
It was agreed that ARF would have a presentation on the Defra Environmental Burdens Project in the new year.

The format for the new website was agreed, the draft Annual Report was commented on.

Targets for 2004-5
The following targets were agreed:
a) Strengthen the KT activity between Levy Bodies and also with Defra and the devolved administrations, particularly in the areas of water, soil and biodiversity.
b) Organise a workshop on Soil Biodiversity and identify targets for research funding.
c) Best practice in research management.
d) Development of the website to provide information on UK agricultural research activity.
e) Ensure that Levy Body funding within LINK is co-ordinated.
These proposals would be put to the Chairmans' Group.

Defra Research Priorities Group
The RPG workshops had been well attended and the research themes identified now needed to be prioritised. The final report will be published in March 2005

Biodiversity Review
Following discussions with Defra, it was agreed that a conference/workshop should be organised. This could be followed by the previously proposed review.

Defra's Soil Action Plan
Judith Stuart from Defra gave a presentation on the Soil Action Plan, and invited comments from the ARF.