A delegation from the United States government visited the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) this week, to study the present state of British agriculture, food and drink.
The delegation and the university discussed the topics of animal health, regenerative farming and work in the agricultural sector in Ukraine.
The visit was jointly organised by the British Embassy in Washington and included agriculture directors and commissioners from Arizona, Tennessee, Connecticut, Indiana, Virginia, Iowa, and Massachusetts.
The visit was also attended by representatives from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the American Farm Bureau Foundation and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
RAU pro vice chancellor research and enterprise, Prof Mark Horton, said: “We were delighted to welcome the delegation from the United States’ agriculture sector to the RAU.
“After a working breakfast with senior RAU academics and researchers, we discussed a number of topics including animal health, regenerative farming systems, and our work in the agricultural sector in Ukraine.
“We also told them about the history and heritage of the RAU and the university’s role in the development of agricultural research and education over the last 178 years.
“The delegates left with samples of our student enterprise, including cans of our award-winning Cotswold Hills wine.”
The delegates, who are still in the UK as part of a week-long visit to Somerset, Gloucestershire and Yorkshire, were also shown around the RAU campus.
“It was a great privilege to meet up with the key figures in American agriculture and to exchange ideas,” Horton said.
“We have so much in common in seeking a net zero future for food and farming, and we hope that this visit is just the start of what is a mutually beneficial relationship.”
