Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
Give us bread!
The privatisation of Britain’s wheat-breeding programme under Thatcher means we now trail other countries’ productivity when we used to be world-leading, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and JOEL HELLEWELL

IN BRITAIN, there is no better way to understand the place of scientific endeavour in food production than by looking at the breeding of wheat. 

Wheat is grown on more of the world’s surface than any other crop, due to its versatility. 

Given the high density of wheat growing in Britain, we may not be surprised at a former Tory prime minister’s famously destructive childhood pastime. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
CATASTROPHIC END OF THE LINE: Recent die-off of bees in the Groot Winterhoek mountains is linked to widespread pesticide poisoning, with cases confirmed in February 2025 / Pic: Discott/CC
Race / 29 October 2025
29 October 2025

The West’s dangerous pesticide dumping in Africa is threatening biodiversity, population health and food sovereignty, argues ROGER McKENZIE

LIFELONG MUTATIONS: Spermatogenesis commences during puberty and continues throughout life and until old age because of the inexhaustible stem cell reservoir - an abundance of germ cells are developed and delivered from the seminiferous tubules / Pic: CoRus13/CC
Anatomy / 22 October 2025
22 October 2025

New research into mutations in sperm helps us better understand why they occur, while debunking a few myths in the process, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER: Settlers from Yitzhar settlement, south of Nablus, cut down 97 olive trees in the village of Burin, 2009 / Pic: ISM Palestine/CC
Features / 30 July 2025
30 July 2025

Olive oil remains a vital foundation of food, agriculture and society, storing power in the bonds of solidarity. Though Palestinians are under attack, they continue to press forward write  ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT

(Left) Human embryonic stem cells; (right) A patient after i
Features / 26 March 2025
26 March 2025
A small Japanese trial has reported some positive results for stem cell therapy to treat spinal-cord injuries