Innovation for Sustainable, Productive and Competitive European Agriculture

Meeting - Tuesday, 24th of January 2012, 18:30 - European Parliament - Brussels

In the face of a growing world population, expected to reach 9 billion inhabitants in 2050, food production will have to increase by 70% according to the FAO. There is no doubt that this challenge will have to be tackled by increasing productivity in a sustainable way, through resource efficiency, the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. As one of the biggest world food producers and importers, the EU has a key role to play.

The EU includes in its Innovation Policy a European Innovation Partnership on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability. Promoting a resource-efficient, productive and low-emission agricultural sector, this Partnership aims to deliver a safe and steady supply of food, feed and biomaterials. This Partnership will build a bridge between cutting-edge research and technology on one hand and the farmers, businesses and advisory services on the other hand.

In the framework of the ongoing discussion on the Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, the event will seek to:

· Demonstrate the paramount importance of innovation in sustainable and productive agriculture

· Put research, innovation and knowledge transfer at the heart of the policy decision making

· Find the best tools for helping the players of the agricultural world implement innovative solutions.

Documents of the meeting
Invitation
Press release
Agenda

Presentations
Mr Scheele
Mr Jones
Ms Robijns
Mr Baecke