George Eustice: Resilience must be the new frontier for agri-tech

Former Defra Secretary George Eustice argues that agricultural innovation should prioritize resilience over automation, emphasizing the need for technologies that enhance soil health and reduce reliance on costly inputs. He identifies biostimulants, organic fertilisers, and soil-enhancing products as key to building resilience against volatile weather and economic shocks. Eustice calls for regulatory reforms to assess agricultural products by risk rather than arbitrary categories and supports rewarding farmers for sustainable practices that improve profitability and environmental outcomes. He also advocates for regulatory flexibility to spur scientific innovation, stressing that agri-tech must focus on resilient farming systems as climate pressures mount.