05 Jul 2005

European Agricultural Development - Programme Launch

       
How Europe can improve the safe exploitation of the wealth of genetic diversity in plants using plant genomics and biotechnology is the subject of a pan-European Research Agenda being launched in Strasbourg today (5 July 2005).  The Strategic Research Agenda Plants for the Future, which will set the scene for European agri-food development over the next two decades, has been developed by research institutions, industry, farmers, politicians, financial world, regulatory authorities, as well as consumer and environmental organizations across the European member states.

Plants and plant-derived products are essential to Ireland's economy and society because they are the basis for food, energy, health & medicines, industry and environmental well-being. The joint research platform Plants for the Future will develop new systems of innovation to deliver positive social and economic impact from plant genomics and biotechnology research across the strategic areas of sustainable food and agriculture, bio-energy, environment and health.

The research will span agriculture, raw materials, feed and food, such as oil plants containing more long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with health benefits for humans, or crops incorporating higher levels of micronutrients. The research platform will also be extended to animal feed crops that are important to Europe such as wheat, grain, legumes, and rapeseed. A special focus on biodiversity will help to expand the variety of crops cultivated in the EU and ensure more environmentally-friendly farming. In addition, crops will be further developed in terms of reducing the need of agricultural inputs and better protection against pests and diseases.

According to EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potonik, "Plants for the Future is an impressive demonstration of how working together can build competitiveness. This joint effort of all those involved in the agricultural production chain to identify and take into account scientific and technological potential, market drivers and consumer demand can only be positive for the future of the agricultural sector,".  He went on "Plant genomics and biotechnology, as outlined in the strategic research agenda published today, will play a major role in ensuring sustainability of our economy through renewable biological resources."

"If we talk about the European agricultural value chain we talk about more than 600 billion Euros of turn-over each year, 8% of the European workforce, and 17 million farms.  Research and application of plant genomics and biotechnology will foster this leading sector," said Hans Kast, Chairman of the European Association for bio-industries (EuropaBio).  "The consensus of all stakeholders on the research agenda is a great achievement and clearly shows that Europe wants to earn the benefits of plant biotechnology," he added.

"With Plants for the Future we address four major challenges: Producing healthy, safe and sufficient food and feed while securing sustainable agriculture and landscape, developing green products such as biomaterials and biofuels, and last but not least securing Europe´s competitiveness, consumers' choice and good governance," said Marc Zabeau, President of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO). "It will be achieved by private and public funding at regional, national and European level. I am pleased about the proposal of the European Commission, which has proposed ?2,5 billion for food, agriculture and biotechnology, in the next EU research programme. We will consult the EU Member States to discuss our proposal and ensure national support for it" he added.

Responding to the climate change challenge, and the growing awareness towards environmental responsibility in agriculture, plant science will be a key technology in delivering the bio-based economy where energy, raw materials and renewables are increasingly produced by the agricultural sector.

"This research agenda in plant science will enable European farmers to improve both plant productivity and quality while preserving our environment. This is the key to answer customers needs and to compete in a global market while at the same time sustaining our rural communities and preserving the European countryside," says Pierre Pagesse, Presidium Member of the General Confederation of Agricultural Co-operatives in the European Union (COGECA).  "I believe Plants for the Future will also bring new tools to enhance biodiversity and use it in plant breeding programs", he adds. The Irish Cooperative Organization Society (ICOS) are primary members of COGECA in Ireland.

Speaking at the launch event, Giles Chichester MEP who chairs the European Parliament's Industry Committee said "I have pleasure in launching the Plant Technology Platform and supporting the project by chairing a mirror group in the Parliament. This is a vital area of science both because of the benefits it can produce and as a significant source of economic growth. The way the interested parties have come together to establish this platform is a most impressive exercise in co-operation and sectoral planning for the future."

The EPSO National Representative, Dr Charles Spillane (SFI Investigator, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork) highlighted that "The research outlined in the Plants for the Future research agenda will be critical to the future competitiveness and social, economic and environmental sustainability of the agri-food sector in Ireland. Ongoing CAP and WTO reforms will require the Irish agri-food sector to dramatically increase its rate of innovation to diversify and move its products & services up the value-chain in the face of increasing international competition. If Ireland is to develop a strong & sustainable bio-based economy, having a competitive research base in advanced plant research will be essential to developing & delivering beneficial innovations for sustainable food and agriculture, bio-energy, environment and health." In Ireland, there are over 30 plant research groups across Ireland's universities and research institutes (TEAGASC), over 100 agri-food businesses, and numerous farming bodies & consumer groups that are expected to participate in and benefit from the Plants for the Future Research Agenda.


NOTES
About EPSO
EPSO, the European Plant Science Organisation, is an independent body that represents more than 50 leading Research Institutions from 23 European countries.
www.epsoweb.org  
 
About EuropaBio
EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, represents almost 50 member companies operating worldwide, 7 associate organisations, 2 regions and 25 national biotechnology associations. Through our associations EuropaBio is also the voice of 1500 small and medium-sized enterprises involved in research, development, testing, manufacturing and commercialisation of biotechnology applications.
www.europabio.org  

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