Temperton fellow looks at unlocking the potential of water

Posted 20 June 2016

The challenge of maintaining access to useable water as the global population and demand increases was the topic of the 24th Temperton Fellowship for Poultry Research, presented by Bruce Keith.

The aim of the paper, written by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) trustee and president-elect, was to discuss the challenges and possible solutions to maintain access to water, both for drinking and the agricultural industry.

During a presentation to an audience of industry professionals at the National Liberal Club in London, Mr Keith said: “Globally the population is expected to increase by a third by 2050; it will be largely urban-based with different dietary preferences from 2015. 

“Water consumption is increasing quicker than the global population, and yet only 2.5 per cent of the world’s water resource is freshwater and most of that is inaccessible.

“Agricultural production currently uses approximately 70 per cent of the useable water resource.

“The World Economic Forum (WEF) said in its most recent Global Risk Report that water now presents the highest risk to the world over the next 10 years.

“I truly believe that necessity is the mother of invention. My recommendations regarding how we can maintain a sufficient supply of water include: protecting the water we already have; reduce or minimising wastage; and making more available. 

“Desalination is one possibility of how we can have more water available. The process now costs less and uses less energy due to technological advances. 

“Other possible solutions include recycling water from toilet-to-tap, using the right ‘type’ of water for each job, tailor-made livestock for different countries and saltwater-tolerant crops. 

“My message following this report, especially to those in the poultry industry, is: be prepared to be involved.”

After Bruce Keith’s presentation, Peel Holroyd, Chairman of the Harper Adams University Temperton Fellowship in Poultry Research, announced Dr David Llewellyn, Harper Adams University Vice-Chancellor as the 25th Fellow. 

Dr Llewellyn will be conducting a research project to look into the requirements of future leaders in the poultry industry with a look at new technologies.

The Temperton Fellowship was established to commemorate the contribution of Dr Harold Temperton, Director of the National Institute of Poultry Husbandry at Harper Adams University from 1951 -1974.

It is financed by the accrued annual interest from the Temperton Trust investments, which are derived from contributions and donations, as well as proceeds from sales of the book - The History of the National Institute of Poultry Husbandry by ME Telford, PH Holroyd and RG Wells, published by Harper Adams University, September 1986.

Mr Keith’s full report can be obtained by emailing Mary Early