European Technology Platforms Propose joint R&I priorities for a sustainable food system

PRESS RELEASE

EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS PROPOSE JOINT RESEARCH & INNOVATION PRIORITIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM

BRUSSELS (BE), 13 July 2020 – The European Technology Platforms (ETPs) ‘Plants for the Future’, ‘Food for Life’ and TP ’Organics’ have jointly published a policy brief with Research & Innovation recommendations to address the most pressing challenges facing primary production and consumer aspects in our food systems. The policy brief is a response to the European Green Deal and the Farm-to-Fork strategy of the European Commission. The Farm-to-Fork Strategy will start a transition towards a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system in Europe. Research and innovation (R&I) are mentioned as key drivers in accelerating this transition. The ETPs recommend focussing R&I efforts on:

  • Creating an environmental performance toolbox allowing farmers to make the best management decisions
  • Smartly reducing pesticide use
  • Improving consumer knowledge and choice on healthy and sustainable diets
  • Designing diversified farming systems for diverse diets

Jonas Lazaro-Mojica, Manager Food Policy, Science and R&D at ETP ‘Food for Life’, said: “I am proud that we could agree with the three ETPs on a common list of policy recommendations for R&I, which are focused on primary production and consumer aspects. Given the challenges that lie ahead of us, joint action is needed. We need to focus on common solutions rather than dilute our efforts by differences in opinion.”

Amrit Nanda, Executive Manager at ETP ‘Plants for the Future’, said: “The R&I recommendations are meant to address the four most important challenges of our food systems, which are climate change, biodiversity loss, lack of consumer awareness and trust, and malnutrition. These are the challenges identified in our policy brief and they are also put forward by the Farm-to-Fork Strategy. “

Bram Moeskops, Senior Scientific Coordinator at TP ‘Organics’ said: “The Farm-to-Fork strategy sets out ambitious targets to reduce dependency on pesticides and antimicrobials, reduce excess fertilisation, increase organic farming, and reverse biodiversity loss. R&I investments need to be well chosen in order to minimise unfavourable trade-offs and to develop scalable solutions. That’s why we have developed this policy brief.”

Background information

European Technology Platforms are stakeholders’ fora recognised by the European Commission to define and implement Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas in given technological areas or economic sectors. They help to define the topics of research programmes at European, national and regional level.

The European Technology Platform (ETP) ‘Food For Life’ is an industry-led stakeholder forum aimed at stimulating innovations for the European food industry to the benefit of a sustainable society.

TP ‘Organics’ is the European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming. Its mission is to strengthen research & innovation for organic and other agroecological approaches and so contribute to sustainable food and farming systems.

The European Technology Platform (ETP) ‘Plants for the Future’ is a stakeholder platform representing the plant sector, from fundamental research to crop production and distribution. Its mission is to bring stakeholders together to develop a joint vision and action plan on education, research and innovation.

Links

Read the Policy Brief here

European Technology Platform (ETP) ‘Food For Life’: http://etp.fooddrinkeurope.eu/

European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming, TP Organics: https://tporganics.eu/

The European Technology Platform (ETP) ‘Plants for the Future’: http://www.plantetp.eu/

For more information, please contact:

Jonas Lazaro-Mojica, ETP ‘Food for Life’:

Amrit Nanda, ETP ‘Plants for the Future’:

Bram Moeskops, TP ‘Organics’: