challenges identifi ed and defi ned in Horizon 2020. This should BUILDING INNOVATIVE VALUE CHAINS incorporate technologies from other areas, like micro- and nanotech- The classical view of an agriculture-food value nologies, biotechnology, genomics and systems biology, including the chain (farm-to-fork) is largely asset-driven and often full potential of social science and humanities’ perspectives, rather characterised by a low degree of innovation and than relegating social science to consumer issues as so often happens the development of added-value products. The global in these kinds of multi- and inter-disciplinary programmes. The latter challenge ahead is to start with consumer needs, and can contribute both to the development of consumer demand-driven subsequently align food production, agriculture and land sustainability and behavioural changes necessary for healthy eating. use in a much more complex and multi-directional value chain. Such an approach should encompass needs and opportunities RESEARCH COORDINATION AND ENHANCEMENT from climate, available resources, environment, energy and health OF INNOVATION perspectives. This requires a complexity of interactive and multidisci- Traditionally, Europe has been strong in the development of a plinary cross-cutting research and innovation approaches to realise bio-based and more sustainable economy but must be prepared to the huge potential for challenge-driven and interactive innovations, meet increased global competition. By 2020, Europe must be in meeting consumer needs, and thus creating jobs. the forefront of biosciences, and – well before 2020 – Europe must have created an innovation culture where companies, especially SUSTAINABILITY, RESOURCE UTILISATION SMEs, researchers, NGOs and governments work closely together AND INCREASED OUTPUT to increase the speed and volume of the exploitation of Europe’s The pressure on agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and the food and vast and growing knowledge capital. Education strategies and bio-industries to produce signifi cantly more per unit of resource and programmes must include a focus on improved entrepreneurial skills the associated strong need for increased utilisation and valorisation and the development thereof at both undergraduate and graduate of all bio-resources will probably be the most prominent driver for levels. An acceleration of the public-private-partnering (PPP) princi- introduction of new technologies across the entire challenge area. ple is seen as a prerequisite for the development of new prod-ucts, This requires relevant research and innovation investments into new processes and services at all levels and sectors. This is also true for technologies, methods, processes and management practises along industry and startups, including the regulatory system and processes the entire value chain. And this must be done with due considera- available to the authorities. The acceptance of existing technologies tion of all sustainability dimensions, i.e. meeting environmental, (such as irradiation and the use of genetically modifi ed organisms social, and economic requirements (sustainability and economic (GMO) in conventional and organic agriculture) and the adop- competitiveness must go hand in hand). tion of rapidly developing new technologies (such as systems and synthetic biology) must be approached in a more pragmatic way, Important mitigating options are to reduce competition among ani- where identifi cation and understanding of needs versus challenges mals and humans for land exploitation, improve plant and animal will require the choice of optimal technologies to be used, including health, improve plant water and fertilizer-use effi ciency and reduce ethical considerations. pesticide inputs, optimise animal protein production with respect to environmental impact and ethics, develop plant-based alternatives Due to the complexity of the topic combined with the need for ac- to conventional animal protein containing products, and create a celerated innovation, new approaches to conducting research and change in the eating habits (from both health and sustainability innovation have to be envisioned, not the least from a societal value perspectives) of populations. creation point of view. A shift from the classical linear approach to a more interactive learning loop is needed to get new knowledge Another urgent topic for integrated research is the interaction be- implemented at more practical levels (from farm management to tween the soil microbial fl ora and plant materials (crops, processed industrial food production), and to feed more practice-based knowl- raw materials and leftovers from food and biorefi nery production edge inputs into research objectives and planning. processes). Apart from addressing the biomass resource effi ciency (yield and quality) and waste issues, this is important for biological NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS production of e.g. single-cell protein and added-value biomaterials A fundamental principle of research in this area ought to be a focus by microorganisms utilising such bio-substrates. Linking green and on the development of a completely new knowledge and innovation white biotech systems (with or without GMOs) would be an interest- platform that supports a long-overdue paradigm shift in the agricul- ing approach to exploit more synergies between food and biomass ture and food industry value chain. production and industrial biotechnology. 32
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