Science has a vital role to play in this, and the industry respects the need for appropriate regulation that protects human health and animal health and welfare, at the same time as allowing technological advance. Growing public confidence in scientific advancement is an important part of this.

The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) held its fourth Food Chain conference, Feeding the World, at the Royal Society on Tuesday, 15 February 2011.

NOAH Chief Executive Phil Sketchley said: "The NOAH event this year has been about Feeding the World and we have looked at how those of us in the animal health industry can help meet the challenge of increasing demand for protein- based food, both in the developed countries and emerging nations of the world.

"We have been fortunate to have a selection of highly qualified speakers who have addressed various aspects of how science can be used to safeguard food supplies, improve human and animal health and contribute to protecting the environment."

NOAH heard from Professor Andy Peters, MD of Arpexas Ltd and visiting professor at the University of Nottingham, about how existing and new animal medicines and advances in science can be used to help meet these challenges.

Among the speakers was Dr Gabriel Oluga Aboge of the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Kabete, Kenya, who spoke about Africa's need for a technological revolution in animal science to feed a growing population and strengthen economies that relied heavily on pastoral farming.

Other speakers included Neil Parish MP (Former MEP and ex-Chairman of the European Agriculture and Rural Development Committee) and Professor David Leaver of the Royal Agricultural College.

George Gunn, Chief Executive of Novartis Consumer Health, spoke about the requirements of the animal health industry in terms of free innovation and allowing advances in medicines to reach markets in a sensible regulatory framework. The Chairman was former dean of Cambridge Veterinary School, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior.