Ref. Ares(2021)7938574 - 22/12/2021
We are pleased to read that the European Green Deal, and in particular the Farm to Fork
Strategy, has also inspired you to update your strategic R&I priorities. We have found
commonalities between the views of Copa-Cogeca, the ETP
and the
Commission on key R&I priorities that deserve attention when devising the EU R&I
actions via Horizon Europe and EIP-AGRI, and how these can contribute to the policy
priorities of the EU.
We agree that collaboration between relevant actors from across the agri-food systems
should be encouraged to co-create knowledge and diverse innovative solutions that
respond to the needs of farmers, food business and society, and enhance sustainability
and resilience of the systems. Hence, under Horizon Europe, the Commission has
strengthened and streamlined
-
to bring research and
practice closer together and speed up innovation that responds to real needs of
practitioners on the ground.
As regards the R&I priorities, climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of
our times. Agriculture and food systems have a significant role to play to reduce and
mitigate GHG emissions. They also needs to strengthen their capacity to adapt to climate
change and its resilience. We are in accord that substantial R&I efforts under Horizon
Europe are critical to foster climate mitigation and adaptation in the agri-food sector.
Indeed, the circular bio-based economy has a largely untapped potential for the primary
production sector and rural communities. To unlock this potential, the Commission will
support relevant R&I activities, including through the partnership Circular Bio-based
Europe (CBE). The CBE will be an important instrument to support the development of
innovative value chains in the bioeconomy, in which primary producers are better
integrated.
We fully recognise the essential role of vibrant rural areas for sustainable agriculture and
food systems. Similarly to you, we are convinced that R&I is essential to foster a
sustainable, balanced and inclusive development of rural areas in line with the
forthcoming Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas.
Like you, we endorse the need to support the tailored development of new technologies,
in particular digital and data technologies, as enablers for increasing the sustainability
and competitiveness of agri-food systems and rural communities. R&I actions in this
field are expected among others to exploit the potential of AI and earth observation,
to accelerate the uptake of innovative digital and data-based solutions, and to facilitate
increased cross-sectoral collaboration. Overall, a comprehensive approach to strategic
programming at European level of R&I in digital and data technologies is set out with
substantial funding and building on synergies between Horizon Europe Clusters 4 and 6
and the Digital Europe Programme.
In addition, under the CAP, the Commission will also work with Member States to
reinforce the EIP-AGRI and promote effective Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation
Systems (AKIS) fostering knowledge exchange, innovation and advice as key enablers
for all actors working in agri-food systems to become sustainable.
2