Forest fires are not necessarily becoming more frequent, but they could become increasingly severe, say EU-funded scientists. Forest management strategies must evolve in line with the changes that are compounding the risk of blazes across large areas.
With the support of the European Research Council (ERC) "Proof of Concept" grants, 59 researchers in Europe will now get the chance to turn their inventions into viable products.
EU-funded researchers have developed an automated prototype to help farmers monitor and control the amount of water and fertiliser they need for their crops. It has already been successfully tested on 25 hectares of land (an area roughly the size of 35 football pitches), and the SMEs involved are making commercialisation plans – there is currently no such system on the market.
Mycotoxins – produced by fungi – contaminate about 25 % of food crops worldwide, according to the latest estimates. Detecting contamination quickly and reliably is essential for food safety, as mycotoxins could be transferred to bread, for instance, making it unsafe to eat. The MYCOHUNT project developed a system that can sniff out mycotoxins almost immediately. It is expected to be on the market within two years.
EU-funded researchers have identified the untapped commercial potential of products like wild berries, mushrooms, nuts and plants growing in Europe’s forests for the benefit of rural communities – a way to generate growth and jobs.
The first Societal challenge 2 project, HENNOVATION, has just officially started on 1st January 2015, after a grant agreement preparation of less than a month. It is a thematic network for agriculture innovation addressing practice-driven innovation in particular in the laying hen sector.
Influenza outbreaks in several farms in different European countries at the end of 2014 were a reminder that the risk of flu viruses spreading to animals and humans is permanent. Fighting influenza requires sustained efforts in research and innovation. Around 25 experts meet in Parma for a two-day workshop organised by the European Commission and EFSA to discuss how to prioritize research activities on the matter.
Climate change poses new challenges for farmers, and for the scientists who try to predict its effects. An EU-funded researcher has developed a computer model for better predictions of environmental impacts on crops and communities.
EU-funded researchers have assessed the impact of climate and land-use change on deforestation in the Amazon and put forward policy recommendations designed to ensure the long term sustainability of this vast ecosystem.
Over 500 hundred participants attended the Infoday on Societal challenge 2 calls for 2015 organised by European Commission in Brussels on 21 November 2014.
Due to the high interest raised by this event, the venue capacity has been reached and registration is now closed. For those who didn’t manage to book their place on time, the event will be web cast on the Bioeconomy website.
Plants are able to sense different parameters like the gravitational field, electrical fields or chemicals gradients. This huge amount of information could be made intelligible for surprising purposes.
Global demand for food is expected to increase by 70% by 2050, while a steep increase in biomass use will also put pressure on agriculture. Feeding the world without damaging the environment is the focus of World Food Day 2014 – and the goal of several EU-funded research projects.
The demand for wood products and services is increasing worldwide due to economic and climate policy driving forces. It is therefore imperative for experts in forestry research to develop a common framework which could facilitate interactions between different areas of expertise and the exchange of scientific knowledge.
Around one third of all food for human consumption is lost or wasted along the supply chain according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). A European Union (EU)-funded research project, NovelQ, has developed new processing technologies to keep food fresh over a longer period of time, potentially saving the billion tonnes of meat, fish, fruit and vegetables that might end up being thrown away each year.
Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn and Italian Minister for Education to open third Bioeconomy stakeholders conference
Just like humans, plants have an internal 24-hour clock known as the circadian rhythm. This innate timer helps them regulate their different metabolic processes by synchronising them with the Earth’s day and night cycle. It is also of the utmost importance for healthy plant growth, the European Union (EU)-funded project TiMet (or ‘Linking the clock to metabolism’) has now shown.
Europe is home to a high proportion of the world's leading animal breeding organisations. Research being carried out by an EU-funded QUANTOMICS project is helping these breeders to remain competitive in global markets.
Dairy farmers are always looking for ways to cut costs and boost production. An EU-funded project aims to help. Its new technology lets farmers combine pasture feeding with automated milking systems – for more efficient production and happier cows.
Later this month (23-25 September) the European Commission Representation stand at the National Ploughing Championships will be all about letting you know what the EU is doing in the area of “Agriculture and Research” with a spotlight on new technologies in agriculture.
