FEEDING the world will be up for debate at York Festival of Ideas amid forecasts that the global population is set to top ten billion.

Leading scientists, agriculturists and global food security experts will join in the debate on whether we should produce less meat and grow more crops or turn to genetic engineering.

Highlights of the June 14 debate include a key note address from population biologist Charles Godfray and a closing speech by Mark Post, inventor of the stem cell beef burger.

Joan Concannon, director of the festival and director of External Relations at the University of York, said: “Food forms a key part of cultural identity and memory. Yet the world is facing a major challenge in how it feeds a rapidly increasing global population.”

The Future of Food: how to feed 10 billion people also asks if GM foods are a viable alternative supply, and how technology can improve crop yields.

On June 13, the festival is hosting Dinner with Mr Darcy with Pen Vogler, editor of Penguin’s Great Food series. Exploring the food in Jane Austen’s novels, Pen talks about dishes enjoyed by the characters and a cookbook is available to try recipes at home.

On June 17, chemist Dave Smith, from York University, will reveal the hidden science of the cream tea.

“We are delighted that so many of the world’s leading thinkers, scientists, technologists and food writers have joined together to deliver our such a stimulating array of events during the 2014 York Festival of Ideas’,” Mrs Concannon added.