The objective of this Chair was to address the problems regarding the use of regulations as international trade barriers that have the very real probability of negatively impacting food security by restricting developing country farmers from accessing the full variety of tools possible. The research undertaken in the Chair will provide the industry with research from a neutral perspective, but one that will hold industry interests as a priority.

Funding provided by industry sponsors offers Dr. Smyth, the Chair of Agri-Food Innovation, to lead research and improve the understanding of new crop genetics by focusing on the core issues of governance, regulation and trade in order to add value to the genomic sciences. Dr. Smyth held the Agri-Food Innovation and Sustainability Enhancement Chair from July 2019-April 2025. Today, Dr. Smyth continues his research he started under his Chair, under his Professorship in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

2014-2019

Industry Research Chair in Agri-Food Innovation