I have arranged for copies of DEFRA’s new Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS) which provides an agenda to prioritise and manage DEFRA’s investment in evidence from 2010 to 2013 and beyond to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. It highlights the need to focus efforts on the interlinked challenges of climate change, protecting ecosystems and developing a sustainable food supply. The strategy will ensure that DEFRA has access to the best evidence when developing and implementing policies. The strategy is available at: http://www.defra. gov.uk/evidence/science/how/strategy.htm

DEFRA’s Chief Scientific Adviser led a detailed review of DEFRA’s evidence activities and worked in collaboration with teams across DEFRA and the evidence landscape (including the executive agencies, non departmental public bodies and key external stakeholders) to develop the strategy. The EIS will build on the progress made by DEFRA’s first evidence strategy, Our approach to Evidence and Innovation for 2005-08, encouraging better use of evidence for policy-making.

The strategy contains a number of recommendations including the importance of working with others, both internally and through partnerships with the research councils and other Government Departments, and developing skills, expertise and capabilities which will improve DEFRA’s gathering and use of evidence.