Lancaster to train Waitrose Suppliers

Lancaster's Plant Sciences for Industry group has been working closely with the supermarket giant Waitrose, to launch a tailor-made course in responsible agronomy in January.

Waitrose turned to experts at Lancaster to develop a course for its suppliers feeling this unique educational initiative would underline its long term commitment to the environment.

The course will lead to a benchmark standard in agronomy, the science of crop production management. The course will see the retailer's own food technologists receiving the same training as its suppliers.

Dr. Mark Bacon, the Director of Plant Sciences for Industry at Lancaster University said: "This is a groundbreaking activity for the University and one which comes at an exciting time with a new building for the Lancaster Environment Centre and relocation of the Natural Environment Research Council's Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

"Waitrose has a strong record in considering the environmental impact of farming and we are pleased that such a prestigious company decided to chose Lancaster to develop their training programme".

This initiative has already sparked considerable interest from Waitrose suppliers. It will allow students to critically examine current practices within the industry and better understand emerging technologies. Course modules will explore subjects such as food safety, pesticides and organic production.