Emerald Research Ltd (ERL) is pleased to announce that George Eustice, former Secretary of State at DEFRA, is currently working with its senior management team as a Board Advisor regarding policy and regulatory affairs in the environment, agri-food and natural capital sectors.

His wealth of knowledge and experience of the legislative process and the importance of balancing food security, maximising yield and the environment supports ERL’s own aims of improving crop yields and reliability while reducing environmental impacts and inputs of both fertiliser and pesticides.

George Eustice said, “Improving the precision of nutrient inputs to crops and combining these inputs with microbials and biological stimulants to enhance the efficiency of uptake is going play an important role in reducing nitrogen use and improving farm profitability.  Emerald Research have developed some ground breaking products that have a proven track record in the potato sector and I am delighted to be joining the team.”

While in office, George developed the future farming policy that supported farmers to improve soil health, which aligns with ERL’s OptiYield soil analysis test programme. This innovative solution provides detailed analysis relating to the soil’s ability to deliver the necessary nutrient conditions for optimum crop establishment, growth and yield.

Since leaving government two years ago, George has been developing his own business, Penbroath Ltd, and is involved in projects as diverse as supporting methane capture from farms to natural capital markets. His experience and knowledge will help ERL to improve and focus while navigating the ever-changing regulatory landscape.