To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his Department has allocated for each category of research into improving the UK’s food security in each of the last four years. (257799)

[holding answer 23 February 2009]: Between 2005-09, DEFRA has invested in research activities associated with UK food security. Industry have joint funded some of the work within the LINK programme. The LINK Programme is a co-ordinated research and innovation framework programme funded in equal share (50:50) by DEFRA and industry. Its aim is to develop near-market products and practices, for subsequent progression to the market place under full industry funding.

Total spend for each of the last four years is shown in the following table: