Technology Platform “Plants for the Future”

1. Member State Consultationson the Stakeholders Proposal for a Strategic Research Agenda 2025 Technology Platform “Plants for the Future” What is a European Technology Platform? “Stakeholders, lead by industry, get together to define a Strategic Research Agenda on a number of strategically important issues with high societal relevance where achieving Europe’s future growth, competitiveness and sustainable objectives is dependent upon major research and technological advances in the medium to long term” Peter Kerr, European Commission, Vienna, June 2005 European Technology Platform “Plants for the Future” • The European Technology Platform "Plants for the Future" is a stakeholder forum on plant genomics and biotechnology that was initiated by the European Commission on the request of the Brussels European Council of March 2003. • It is coordinated by EPSO, the European Plant Science Organisation, and EuropaBio, the European Association of Bio-industries and supported by major public and private stakeholders. The ETP’s actions are overseen and lead by its Steering Council consisting of key representatives of the stakeholders. • The TP operation is supported by the European Commission via a Specific Support Action in FP6 Stakeholders • Academia, Industry (crop improvement, seed, food, feed, new products, retailers etc.), Agricultural and Forestry organisations • Consumer and Environmental organisations • Educational, Financial and Regulatory bodies Major objectives • The development of a joint and long-term strategy for European plant research, including genomics and biotechnology. • The goal of this strategic research agenda (SRA) is to strengthen and better organise research and product development efforts in Europe and improve synergy between public and private research efforts at EU, national and regional level. • Actions to foster the implementation of this strategy. Activities Past activities: Step 1: Create a stakeholder forum Step 2: Develop a long term Vision for this sector in Europe Current activities: Step 3: Develop a long term Strategic Research Agenda and more detailed shorter term Action plans leading to this vision: Using the vision paper as the starting point, the stakeholders have developed a Stakeholders Proposal for a Strategic Research Agenda to signpost the road to fulfilling this ambitious vision over the next two decades. NOW:The Proposal is being discussed with EU Member States, the European Parliament and the European Commission during the second half of 2005. It will be amended to take into account their comments in 2006 and to develop a detailed action plan for the 2006-2010 period. Future activities: Step 4: Foster the implementation of the Strategic Research Agenda: The Platform will work to support the implementation of the recommendations in the Strategic Research Agenda and the 2006-2010 Action Plan at the European, national and regional levels. This will not only have an impact on the plant sector in Europe by creating competitive leadership, it will benefit the environment and meet society’s needs. www.plantTP.com PlantsTP@psb.ugent.be