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FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, BIOTECHNOLOGY

Budget: €1 935 million (2007 - 2013)

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The advancement of knowledge in the sustainable management, production and use of biological resources (microbial, plant and animal) will provide the basis for safer, eco-efficient and competitive products and services for agriculture, fisheries, feed, food, health, forest-based and related industries. Important contributions to the implementation of existing and prospective policies and regulations in the area of public, animal and plant health and consumer protection are anticipated. New renewable energy sources will be supported under the concept of a European knowledge-based bio-economy.

What's the benefit for citizens:

Science, industry and society will come together to address the social, economic and environmental challenges of sustainable management of biological resources. They will also exploit advances in microbial, plant and animal biotechnologies to develop new, healthier, ecoefficient and competitive products and services. Rural and coastal development will be addressed by boosting local economies whilst preserving our heritage and variety of cultures.

What's the benefit for researchers:

Research will be carried out on the safety of food and feed chains, diet-related diseases, consumer food choices and the impact of food and nutrition on health.

Research activities will include:

• Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest, and aquatic environments: enabling research on sustainable production systems; plant and animal production and health; animal welfare; fisheries and aquaculture, including exploitation and sustainable use of their biodiversity.
• Tools to implement relevant strategies, policies and legislation supporting the European knowledge based bio-economy.
• The integrity and control of the food chain ("fork to farm") will be subject to research, addressing food, health and well-being.
• Life sciences and biotechnology for sustainable non-food products and processes will develop improved crops and forest resources, feed-stocks, marine products and biomass technologies for energy, environment, and high added value products such as materials and chemicals.

Several European Technology Platforms contribute to setting common research priorities in various fields, like food technologies and processes, plant genomics, forestry and forest-based industries, global animal health, and animal farm breeding.

What's the benefit for industry and SMEs:

The creation of a European Bio-Economy is expected to open the way for innovations and effective technology transfer, aiming to include all industries and economic sectors that produce, manage and otherwise exploit biological resources as well as related services from the supply or consumer industries. These activities are in line with the European strategy on life sciences and biotechnology and is expected to promote competitiveness of European agriculture and biotechnology, seed and food companies and in particular high-tech SMEs, while improving social welfare and well-being.