Singapore works to enhance food security

VNA 13/02/2019 21:24

The Singaporean Parliament on February 12 passed a new law on the establishment of a new agency to oversee food-related issues, a move to turn the country into an agriculture and food hub of the region.

The Singaporean Parliament on February 12 pass a new law on the establishment of a new agency to oversee food-related issues. (Source: www.todayonline.com)

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is set to be formed on April 1 under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It will be the sole agency to consolidate the regulatory oversight of food safety and security, climate change response and food contamination.

In addition, the SFA will support the country’s agricultural sector in scientific and technological research and application to find new development opportunities.

During the second reading of the Singapore Food Agency Bill on February 12, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli emphasised that food security is fundamentally linked to Singapore’s national security.

He added that although Singapore has made progress, the changing global situation means the country cannot take food security for granted.

Advanced technology will be used in the farms of the future to ensure supply, such as climate-controlled environments, he stressed.

Zulkifli said that global food demand is expected to rise by as much as 60 percent by 2050. Meanwhile, food output worldwide will drop from 10 to 25 percent due to climate change.