Research is fundamental for the plant breeding and seed sector.
Companies active in the plant breeding and seed production sector are amongst the most innovative in Europe, as these companies need to ensure they are able to meet the challenging and ever-evolving needs of farmers and the rest of the agri-food chain, including consumer preferences and policy objectives.
Highly talented professionals work to develop new varieties and bring them to the market. Out of the approximately 50.000 people the industry employs in Europe, a quarter is dedicated to research activities, with about 750 R&D stations.
Despite the huge investments made by the industry, it can take up to 15 years to develop a new variety. This means that breeders have to anticipate future food demands and challenges, and predict which products will be required in the next decade and beyond.
The impact of climate change and global warming is transforming our environment. This is already having consequences on the productivity of Europe’s economy, ability to produce food, ensure public health and create biodiversity, amongst others.
By improving the water and fertiliser use, selecting traits that increase carbon sequestration or improving the performance of protein crops, research in plant breeding has the potential to mitigate some of the effects of climate change while increasing sustainability.
As a cornerstone of the bio-economy and the starting point of the agri-food chain, research in the plant breeding and seed sector make a significant impact and have the potential to contribute to multiple objectives across environmental, agricultural, consumer safety and public health policy.
In addition to higher environmental standards, EU citizens also demand more diversified and nutritious food. The unique European food scheme “from farm to fork” starts with Plant Breeding . Plant science research underpins modern agriculture and the constant increase in the scientific knowledge of plants and their interaction with the environment. Research on new crop varieties with higher nutritional value, longer shelf life, resistant or more tolerant cultivars… are some of the examples of how research can contribute to Food Quality and Health.
Euroseeds has an internal working group on research that was established in 2012. The group is open to any Euroseeds Member interested in research related issues. Both National Associations and Individual Companies representatives are part of the group.
The priority issues addressed by the Euroseeds working group on Research are as follow:
- EU research and innovation policies and implementing measures
- Outreach on research and innovation
- Euroseeds contribution to the European Technology Platform “Plants for the Future
- European Research Framework Programmes and all relevant actions and opportunities
Euroseeds is also engaged in the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability and so promotes the uptake and dissemination of innovative agricultural techniques, especially in relation to new plant varieties and breeding.
Already in 2015, the Euroseeds Board identified research as a priority for the upcoming years. Since then, we have increased our efforts and participated in several Horizon 2020 research projects bringing the “multi-actor approach” to reality. Multi-actor projects are focused on real problems and opportunities and they require partners with complementary skills and knowledge (scientific, practical and other) who work together throughout the whole research project period.
The EU and the rest of the world are at a critical juncture in defining a path towards global sustainable economic development. The plant breeding sector is ready to make its contribution and it is our hope that the new research Framework Programme will encourage and facilitate this and deliver on EU growth and competitiveness objectives.
“(…) Breakthrough solutions to support the transition to sustainable development will require unprecedented investment in research and innovation through ‘Horizon Europe’, the largest ever EU research and innovation programme with a proposed budget of EUR 100 billion (…)”.
Reflection paper: Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030, European Commission
Related documents:
The Future of Food and Farming
Development of plant proteins in the European Union
A strategic approach to EU agricultural Research and Innovation
