FP6 - 512149 TP PLANTS AND HEALTH - The European Technology Platform on Plant Genomics and Biotechnology: Plants for healthy lifestyles and for sustainable development

Contacts
Website: www.PlantTP.com
Summary Information



To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Biotechnology : Life Science and Food Quality : Plant Genetics

Contract No:	FP6 - 512149
Source:	Periodic ACTIVITY Report - November, 2005

---

Periodic ACTIVITY Report November, 2005

Summary

From a flourishing plant science research base in the 1970s and 1980s, Europe has, over the past 10 years, experienced a declining activity in plant science research into genomics and biotechnology in the academic and private plant biotechnology sectors. This is witnessed by curtailed biotechnology field research programmes in favour of working in third countries. Also, European academic institutions have experienced declining numbers of young students interested in pursuing careers in plant science, genomics and biotechnology. This was recognised as a matter of concern by the Spring 2003 EU Council with a recommendation that the matter be addressed.

The TP Plants and Health involving key stakeholders from academia, industry, the EU institutions, Member States and citizens' representatives, established in June 2004, is working with the objective of addressing this declining plant science research base, as well as addressing societal concerns about plant biotechnology.

The key objective of the TP Plants and Health is to develop European plant science, genomics and biotechnology research policy options with respect to using plants for healthy lifestyles and for sustainable development (a "Strategic Research Agenda").

The TP Plants for Health Strategic Research Agenda leading to the year 2025 will describe a coherent research strategy to achieve implementation of the goals defined in the "Plants for the Future" Vision Paper, published in June 2004, that senior plant scientists from both academia and industry had developed with the assistance of the other stakeholders and the Commission immediately before the start of this SSA. A second paper giving a more detailed Action Plan of specific recommendations up to 2010 will also be developed. These will in turn help to steer the European plant science community's research and development programmes. The PGBTP work will is framed within established EU policy with respect to the Framework Programmes and Life Science Health Priorities.

The TP Plants and Health will:

• Develop a long term strategic plan for European plant genomics and biotechnology until 2025 based on the long term vision paper;
• Articulate an action plan for European plant genomics and biotechnology until 2010 based on the long term
• Provide European citizens the choice of a healthier lifestyle through supporting:
• Development of plants and products offering a healthy balanced diet;
• Stakeholders to provide information on such a healthy diet;
• Plant technologies benefiting the environment, such as crop plants leaving a smaller environmental "footprint" and increasing the supply and use of renewable resources;
• Engage in constructive collaboration with policy makers at EU and national levels to advise and offer support for implementation of the action plan. For example, this technology platform will provide recommendations on:
• FP VII and national research programmes;
• Increasing public and private funding at national and European level for plant genomics and biotechnology research and development;
• Establishing a highly attractive and competitive career path and a strengthening of human resources in the plant science sector;
• Establishing a favourable environment for small business development;
• Enabling commercial growers to develop sustainable, safe, healthy, high quality food and feed production with an emphasis on making available diverse plants and production systems;
• European and MS regulation development and implementation; and,
• Establishing open, constructive communications with the European public, e.g., through our Consumers' representatives.

While publication of the final SRA 2025 and Action Plan 2010 will mark the completion of work funded by the SSA, it will be important to improve the PGBTP network, to monitor progress, to revise and to update policy recommendations in future years.