European Agrofood Conference

Why host this European Union Conference in Veneto, Italy?

The increasing competition and globalisation exerts intense pressure on SMEs in the Veneto Region. Given its natural geographical position as the ‘Gateway to the East’, the region faces continuous confrontation and enterprises must constantly search for innovative scenarios and strategies in order to thrive.

General awareness and care for innovation are indeed the key development drivers for enterprises prepared to take up new opportunities and tackle market challenges, which ruthlessly eliminate those who are not quick enough to adapt and change.

Innovation is not only about technology, but also about organisation and new approaches to human resource management, production, distribution or finance. All of these will provide enterprises in Italy and the Veneto region in particular with the ability to evolve, not only structurally, but also culturally.
‘Innovation and Tradition’ has been the winning recipe of the agro-industry in Italy and Veneto. The industry needs to keep on track with development and ensure that the sector stays resilient to the international crisis which affects the income and profitability of the regional SMEs.

Despite these difficult circumstances, enterprises are still actively being encouraged. Public authorities are promoting cooperation schemes involving European, national and regional authorities. Together with Universities, technology institutes and professional organizations, they are pulling together ideas, instruments, resources and energy to produce synergic and concrete solutions in today’s testing climate.

Why attend this Conference?

The Conference primarily targets Italian agro-food producing companies, particularly SMEs. To help them address the challenges they face, key players of the agro-food system will participate in the Conference and share their valuable experience. These key players include operators, administrations and innovators (generators and disseminators) who will illustrate and stress how innovation can help companies get results in this region.

Representatives of the European Commission, the Veneto Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, education, research, production and entrepreneurship will also attend this important gathering. The Conference will initiate the first steps towards a ‘system of cooperation and development’ for agro-food in the Veneto region.

Participation in the Conference will give participants the following benefits:

• An update on innovation in the agro-food chain and the potential implications for competition
• Networking and shared experience with selected case studies from Italy and abroad
• An update on EU policy (re) design and benefits from EU and national instruments
• The opportunity to voice concerns and expectations through the European Commission and the national and regional authority delegations

Why focus on SMEs?

SMEs represent 99% of the total number of food companies in Europe and employ more than 4 million people. Their well-being and dynamism are an essential part in the whole sector. Their specific concerns and constraints are often overshadowed by large companies and the retail sector. Their small size prevents them from fully capturing the value they generate and they often lack adequate information on the support available through instruments and resources.

This conference will be an opportunity for SMEs to improve their awareness with regard to the need for innovation and entrepreneurship and the added value within the European Commission. It is also an excellent opportunity for the European Commission to understand the concerns and expectations of the regional SMEs.

Issues and challenges

The main issues of current interest addressed at this conference:

• Challenges facing the Italian Agro-Food system
• The international crisis facing the Italian Agro-Food sector
• Innovation and development opportunities in the Agro-Food chain
• European and national support instruments for SMEs.

 

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