Commission staff working document - Accompanying document to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Towards a coherent strategy for a European Agricultural Research Agenda {COM(2008)862 final}
Date: 2008-12-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, EU research policy, agronomic research, biotechnology, rural development, sustainable development

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 15.12.2008 
SEC(2008)3041 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Accompanying document to the 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Towards a coherent strategy for a European Agricultural Research Agenda 

{COM(2008)862 final} 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. 

1.1. 

1.2. 

Procedural and organisational issues ........................................................................... 4 

The legal basis for EU action ....................................................................................... 4 

The role of a renewed SCAR ....................................................................................... 4 

1.2.1.  Background .................................................................................................................. 4 

1.2.2.  The context for a "new SCAR" ..................................................................................... 5 

1.2.3.  Design principles for a new conception of SCAR ........................................................ 6 

1.2.4.  Relationship with other committees active in research coordination.......................... 8 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

2.3. 

2.4. 

3. 

The new context for agricultural research in Europe ................................................... 9 

Key figures from the "EU-AGRI-MAPPING" project (FP6-SSP4) ............................ 9 

New challenges for European agriculture .................................................................. 10 

Need for a renewed Agricultural Research Agenda................................................... 11 

Need for action at EU level in the field of research................................................... 11 

Initiatives undertaken by SCAR................................................................................. 13 

3.1. 

Towards common research agendas........................................................................... 13 

3.1.1.  Prioritisation exercise................................................................................................ 13 

3.1.2.  The establishment of Collaborative Working Groups (CWGs) ................................. 14 

3.1.3. 

Strategic oversight in the area of agricultural research............................................ 15 

3.2. 

Foresight process........................................................................................................ 16 

3.2.1.  The launch of the process........................................................................................... 16 

3.2.2.  A Foresight Expert Group.......................................................................................... 16 

3.2.3.  The involvement of the stakeholders .......................................................................... 17 

3.3. 

Mapping EU capacities .............................................................................................. 18 

3.3.1.  The "EU-AGRI-MAPPING" project (see 2.1)............................................................ 18 

3.3.2. 

Initiatives on agricultural research infrastructures................................................... 18 

3.3.3.  A dedicated website.................................................................................................... 19 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

4.3. 

Key actions for a coherent European Agricultural Research Agenda........................ 20 

Towards a more sustainable agriculture in the face of global competition................ 20 

New priority areas for the future Agricultural Research Agenda .............................. 20 

Strengthening the agricultural knowledge production and sharing in Europe........... 22 

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4.4. 

4.5. 

4.6. 

4.7. 

Consolidating joint research programming................................................................ 23 

Developing an inter/multidisciplinary and more systems-oriented research effort ... 24 

Developing a foresight monitoring capacity .............................................................. 24 

Developing the international dimension of the European agro-food research........... 25 

Annex 1 – Co-ordination between research funders in the domain of agriculture related research 
in the EU................................................................................................................................... 27 

Annex 2 – SCAR Collaborative Working Groups ................................................................... 37 

Annex 3 – Agri-food research systems in European countries: overview ............................... 40 

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1. 

PROCEDURAL AND ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES 

1.1. 

The legal basis for EU action  

Regulation (EEC) No. 1728/74 of the Council of 27 June 1974 on the coordination of agricul-
tural research stipulates in Article 11 that "at regular intervals the Commission shall present to 
the  European  Parliament  and  to  the  Council  a  report  on  the  coordination  of  agricultural 
research. This report shall contain in particular: 

•  Information on the national organisation of agricultural research;  

•  An overall picture of developments in agricultural research within the Community; 

•  A progress report on the measures adopted under this Regulation;  

•  A  forward  study  of  developments  which  would  be  desirable  in  agricultural  research  in  the 
Member States and in the coordination of that research at Community level, with reference to 
the aims of the common agricultural policy" 

In article 7, the regulation establishes a Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR), 
consisting  of  representatives  of  Member  States,  and  presided  over  by  a  representative  of  the 
Commission,  who  have  a  mandate  to  advise  the  Commission  and  the  Member  States  on  the 
coordination of agricultural research in Europe. 

The content of this Communication and the accompanying Commission Staff Working Paper is 
based on the outcome of the various initiatives undertaken by the SCAR Committee over the past 
four  years  to  identify  trends  and  needs  in  this  sector.  It  is  also  based  upon  the  results  of  a 
European Commission funded “EU-AGRI-MAPPING” project, which has analysed the status of 
agricultural and food research in Europe1.  

1.2. 

The role of a renewed SCAR  

1.2.1.  Background  

Since  1974,  the  SCAR  Committee  was  under  the  responsibility  of  DG  Agriculture,  which  was 
originally responsible for providing the secretariat support and management of the committee.  

With  the  start  of  the  EU  Framework  Research  Programmes  in  1981,  DG  Agriculture  became 
responsible for managing the agricultural related Framework programmes and utilised SCAR as 
a ‘Programme Committee’ for this purpose. In that period, SCAR had a dual function both as a 
programme committee and also as a committee for exchanging information and for consultation 
between Member States and the Commission on agricultural research priorities. 

In  1998,  the  management  responsibility  for  agricultural  research  activities  within  Framework 
Programme 5 was transferred from DG Agriculture to DG Research. SCAR then lost its function 
as  a  programme  committee.  However  because  the  responsibility  for  SCAR  remained  with  DG 
Agriculture, the Committee was occasionally invited to advise on agricultural research issues.  

1 

www.agrifoodresearch.net/library <http://www.agrifoodresearch.net/library> 

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At  the  Agricultural  Council  meeting  of  19  July  2004  Commissioner  Busquin  announced  the 
transfer of SCAR from DG Agriculture to DG Research. He asked the Agricultural Ministers to 
give  their  support  to  SCAR  having  a  major  role  in  the  coordination  of  agricultural  research 
efforts in Europe.  

The  “new  SCAR”  was  to  be  as  flexible  as  possible  in  order  to  enable  cooperation  and 
coordination  in  view  of  the  European  Research  area  in  agricultural  research.  However,  the 
standard rules of procedure for Committees were to be applied2. 

1.2.2.  The context for a "new SCAR" 

Over  the  past  three  decades,  the  agenda  for  agricultural  research  has  changed  dramatically. 
Agricultural practices and production processes must now be set in a much wider context – that 
of  achieving  real  sustainability  in  a  wide  sense  and  responding  directly  to  the  concerns  of  the 
consumers of Europe.  

Agriculture must cope with new pressures, for example: in relation to environmental demands; 
changes  in  rural  policy  and  rural  communities;  the  rise  of  non-food  agricultural  production, 
landscape  management,  biodiversity  and  conservation  issues;  and  responses  to  the  demands  of 
reform  of  the  CAP  and  enlargement.  There  are  also  the  impacts  on  European  agriculture  of 
obligations  as  a  result  of  international  agreements,  such  as  WTO  commitments,  the  Kyoto 
protocol and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Such developments make it unlikely that 
any  single  European  country  will  have  the  resources  or  capacity  to  adequately  address  the 
research necessary to support policy on these and other trans-boundary issues that are emerging.3  

In the light of these demands and challenges, the new SCAR should work to this wider and up-
to-date  definition  of  the  term  “agricultural  research”.  SCAR  should  look  beyond  the  narrow 
aspects  of  research  relating  to  production  and  encompass  the  so  called  ‘fork-to-farm’  concept, 
emphasising  research  for  sustainable  agriculture,  and  including  biodiversity,  forestry  and  rural 
development. Adopting a holistic approach SCAR could address major sectors within a concept 
of  a  European  "Knowledge  Based  Bio-Economy"  (KBBE)  for  example4;  animal  health  and 
welfare,  consumer  and  health  issues  relating  to  the  quality,  safety5  and  security  of  food 
production  and  supply;  issues  of  consumer  behaviour  towards  food,  nutrition,  retailing  and 
markets,  as  these  impact  on  agro-food  research,  and  issues  related  to  developments  in  non-
traditional and non-food areas of agriculture activity including forestry. 

Adopting  this  broader  interpretation  of  the  term  “agricultural  research”  would  enable  the 
Committee to take into account all relevant international and European regulations and important 
trends,  and  also  the  major  conclusions  of  the  scientific  committees  of  the  Commission  that 
impinge on the policy and research agendas that may be relevant to multidisciplinary agricultural 
research  within  a  concept.  Arising  from  this  approach,  SCAR  could  therefore  assist  the 
Commission,  other  institutions  and  the  Member  States  by  providing  an  assessment  of  the 

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Standard rules of procedure adopted by the Commission on 31 January 2001 in accordance with Council 
Decision 1999/468/EC 
A  more  detailed  reasoning  for  a  closer  cooperation  is  given  in  the  Discussion  Document  “A  European 
Research Area for Food, Agriculture, Nature and Rural Development and Environment” from 10.05.2004 
(Annex 3) 
Fishery research is not included here because this sector has its own established coordination mechanisms 
at European and international scale  
Taking fully into account the mandate of other bodies such as the European Food Standards Agency and its 
own committees 

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relevance of these topics including socio-economic impact, advise on research priority setting at 
the European level and on related actions that would provide better coordination of support for 
evidence based policy making in the future.  

1.2.3.  Design principles for a new conception of SCAR 

Tasks 

The  main  role  for  SCAR  is  to  support  the  Commission  and  member  states  in  their  desire  for 
better coordination of agricultural research across the European Research Area. This will involve 
a  number  of  tasks  of  strategic  importance  that  can  be  grouped  under  three  broad  and  flexible 
headings: 

Analytical functions include: 

•  Monitoring  of  important  European  and  international  trends  in  the  agro-food  sector  and 

assessment of the research implications; 

•  Monitoring the status of coordination of agricultural research, including the development of 

relevant ERA-Nets and related instruments and policies;  

•  Assessment of research gaps and the implications of these for agriculture when viewed across 

the spectrum of European policies and action plans; 

•  Providing  an  overview  of  national  research  activity  in  the  Agro-food  sector,  in  relation  to 

European policy targets and developments. 

Knowledge utilisation might include:  

•  To promote and monitor developments in multilateral cooperation in agriculture research;  

•  To  provide  a  forum  for  consideration  of  emerging  issues  and  potential  research  topics, 

including ad hoc studies and foresight and horizon scanning activities; and 

•  To  facilitate  the  better  exchange  and  subsequent  use  of  knowledge,  through  better 

coordination of, and availability of research knowledge and evidence 

Advice includes: 

•  Advising all the relevant DGs of the Commission, other institutions of the EU and Member 

States on priorities and measures in the area of agricultural research (as defined above); 

•  Advising  on  possible  research  questions  for  scientific  support  to  Community  agricultural 
policy within the EU-Framework Programmes and other Community action plans; however, 
the renewed SCAR will be complementary to existing mechanisms under the EU Framework 
Programmes. 

•  Advising on where alternative approaches to coordination of research programmes might be 

more appropriate. 

SCAR organisation and operation 

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SCAR meeting  

a) Tasks: 

•  To  provide  a  high-level  forum  for  advising  and  agreeing  upon  activities  under  the  new 

mandate; 

•  To  set  up  and  monitor  the  operation  of  specific  ad  hoc  working  groups  of  variable 

membership, where this is necessary to achieve an agreed action; and,  

•  To consider proposals for action that might come from Member States, and from non-research 
advisory committees of the institutions of the Union and from other stakeholders considered 
to be directly relevant. 

b) Representation:  

•  High-level  representatives  from  all  Member  States’6  administrations  that  have  substantive 

responsibility for agricultural research planning or funding; and,  

•  Depending  on  the  topic  to  be  discussed  Commission  DG  staff  responsible  for  this  specific 

area will participate. 

c) Meetings: the Commission will organise a SCAR plenary meeting twice a year. 

Working Groups  

a) Tasks:  

•  Preparation of discussion papers on specific topics for a wider debate in the SCAR meetings.  

•  A  standing  “oversight  working  group”  (SCAR-Working  Group),  should  operate  as  a  think-
tank  and  an  extended  secretariat  between  regular  SCAR  meetings  to  prepare  initiatives  and 
documents. It should be based on participation of the EU presidency specially supported by 
the incoming and outgoing presidency and interested Member States. 

•  Undertaking  of  specific  activities  and  tasks  between  interested  Member  States  (variable 
geometry).  Flexibility  and  ‘à  la  carte’  nature  of  participation  in  any  working  groups  are 
essential for success. There is also a need to consider the use of “own resources” where this 
would help to facilitate action.  

b) Representation: 

•  Staff nominated by the most appropriate national organisations and at the appropriate level to 

achieve action. If need arises external experts can be invited. 

c) Meetings: according to need. 

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The representatives of the third country or organisation are invited to attend the meetings of the committee, 
in  accordance  with  the  Council  act,  the  agreement  made  by  the  Community,  the  Association  Council 
decision or other basic instrument that provides for the presence of these observers. 

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Secretariat  

a) Tasks:  

•  preparation  of  and  follow-up  from  plenary  meetings  (e.g.  coordination  of  the  agenda, 

invitation, documents for the meeting, minutes); and,  

•  Secretariat functions for the other working groups.  

b) Representation: 

•  DG Research staff will have the responsibility in close contact with the presidency of the EU 
and  supported  by  voluntary  time  of  Member  State  staff  made  available  to  SCAR  (“virtual 
secretariat”).  In  addition  specific  tasks  (for  example  mapping  of  the  European  research 
capacity) could be out sourced to specific support actions of the EU Framework Programmes 
or funded by Member States.  

1.2.4.  Relationship with other committees active in research coordination 

The  renewed  SCAR  will  be  a  flexible  structure,  complementary  to  existing  mechanisms  under 
the EU Framework Programmes (e.g. KBBE-Net7, FP7 Theme 2 FAFB Programme Committee). 

7

KBBE-Net was established in 2006 by the Commission following the implementation of its third Progress 
Report on the Action Plan of the European Life Sciences and Biotechnology Strategy (LSB) - COM (2005) 
286,  29  June  2005.  This  network  of  Member  States  fulfils  its  mandate  in  co-ordination  with  SCAR  and 
focuses  on  research  solutions  based  on  renewable  biological  resources  from  plants,  animals,  microbes, 
including bio-waste, thus contributing to the review and implementation of the LSB Strategy. 

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2. 

THE NEW CONTEXT FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN EUROPE  

2.1. 

Key figures from the "EU-AGRI-MAPPING" project (FP6-SSP4)8 

In its final report in January 2008, the “EU-AGRI-MAPPING” project (FP6-SSP4) provides an 
overview  of  the  agricultural  research  landscape  from  the  perspective  of  organisation  and 
activities. The objective was to provide the Commission with a synthesis of the research systems 
and the trends in research activities. 

The study covers all areas related to agricultural and food research including research dedicated 
to  emerging  challenges  of  the  European  agricultural  and  food  sector.  It  maps  a  wide  range  of 
scientific  disciplines  and  research  issues  going  further  than  those  directly  related  to  food 
production.  It  includes  for  example  non-food  products,  nutrition  and  health,  forestry,  natural 
resources  management,  landscape  management,  rural  development,  agricultural  economics  etc. 
The geographical coverage is the EU-27 plus Croatia, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Switzerland and 
Turkey (countries associated to the Framework Programme, FP).  

The  study  highlighted  that  the  overall  European  capacity  and  financial  support  is  decreasing 
while agri-food research systems need to cope with new challenges such as energy and climate 
change. This may be a concern for the future. A closer look at the agri-food education  system 
could help to determine if this trend could represent a threat for the future.  

There is a wide disparity in the research systems and the European agri-food research landscape 
is  composed  of  several  different  layers.  A  common  trend  in  some  countries  is  reforming  the 
research  systems  by  merging  institutions,  better  coordination  of  research  efforts  through  the 
establishment  of  research  councils,  and  the  allocation  of  research  grants  through  competitive 
bids.  

The study reveals that research-intensive countries (most of them located in the north of Europe) 
have  already  undertaken  restructuring  of  their  research  systems.According  to  performance 
indicators  such  as  the  number  of  citations,  these  countries  are  in  the  lead  leading.  Research 
trends  also  indicate  that  these  countries  have  integrated  earlier  than  others  the  new  policy 
(energy,  climate  change,  biodiversity)  and  technological  (consumer  research,  genomics, 
nanotechnology) challenges. Exchange of practices and sharing of experience with these leading 
countries  could  be  very  beneficial  to  those  that  are  currently  implementing  changes  in  their 
research systems. 

The  study  also  shows  that  European  agri-food  research  performances  are  handicapped  by 
obsolete infrastructures in many of the New Member States. This, combined with the scattering 
of  the  research  capacity  and  the  difficulties  to  implement  efficient  research  management, 
constitutes  a  serious  threat  for  European  research  as  it  leads  to  inefficient  utilisation  of  the 
research potential. 

Finally,  the  study  confirmed  the  need  for  a  stronger  coordination  of  research  planning  and 
funding  at  European  level.  This  need  is  reinforced  by  the  important  place  occupied  by  the 
Common Agricultural Policy in European policies.  

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2.2. 

New challenges for European agriculture 

Fundamental changes in the agricultural sector which are in many cases tied to emerging global 
challenges have required that research in this field be strengthened and re-orientated.  

Productivity gains, largely supported by technological progress and overall economic pressures 
have  led  to  a  considerable  structural  adjustment  in  European  agriculture.  In  general  this  trend 
varies across Member States owing to national and regional specificities with regard to climatic 
and  natural  conditions  and  the  inherent  institutional  framework,  notably  for  land,  labour  and 
capital markets. 

While  the  number  of  farmers  is  declining  in  EU-27  as  a  whole,  these  structural  changes  are 
particularly  visible  between  the  newer  EU12  and  older  EU15  Member  States.  By  contrast,  the 
total  agricultural  area  has  declined  only  slightly  and  although  average  farm  size  has  increased 
there is a huge range of different farming systems in operation. In labour terms, the most striking 
and  challenging  feature  is  the  ageing  of  the  agricultural  labour  force  and  the  continued  high 
proportion of holdings with no other gainful activity than agriculture.  

In overall terms, the socio-economic and environmental impact of agriculture in the EU is still 
very  significant.  While  Europe's  primary  agricultural  sector  has  exhibited  the  same  pattern  of 
long-term decline in its share in the economy common to all developed countries, the combined 
agri-food  sector  is  still  a  key  employer  and  generator  of  wealth  (900  Billion  €  turnover,  20 
million employees). In a territorial context, agriculture and forestry continues to be the chief land 
use  mechanism  in  the  EU  while  agriculture  has  retained  its  central  role  in  the  social  fabric  of 
rural areas and their future development.  

The  implications  of  modern  farming  practices,  particularly  in  EU  12  countries,  could  result  in 
increased unemployment as farms go from small to large scale, and research should not ignore 
the resulting socio-economic challenges. 

In  Europe,  the  reform  process  of  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy  (CAP)  continues  to  drive 
change in farming. Since the first major reform in 1992, EU agriculture has been forced to meet 
the  challenge  of  increasing  competitiveness  within  the  context  of  the  potential  negative 
environmental impacts of modern production methods. Agriculture has also had to respond to the 
increase in consumer concerns and awareness of food safety, quality and affordability and more 
recently on the demand for a healthier diet. 

While the availability of food supply at reasonable prices to the consumer remain an underlying 
objective of the CAP, since the Agenda 2000 reforms, which prepared the ground for the major 
enlargement to EU-25, these concerns have to be seen within a sustainable development context. 
The  breaking  of  the  link  between  support  and  production  and  the  introduction  of  cross-
compliance  requirements  with  EU  legislation  regarding  farm  production  methods,  which  form 
the  main  elements  of  the  2003  reform,  have  brought  market  orientation  and  the  meeting  of 
environmental and other production standards as the key determinants for the sustainable future 
of the EU farm sector. 

As  a  consequence  of  the  orientation  of  the  reformed  CAP  towards  sustainability,  the  so-called 
Second Pillar of the CAP has shifted the EU policy framework towards rural development. This 
has  enabled  the  policy  framework  to  provide  more  opportunities  to  target  support  to  specific 
priorities of societal importance, such as the protection of the environment and the enhancement 

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of  quality  of  life  in  rural  areas  as  well  as  a  range  of  non-commodity  outputs  produced  by 
agriculture such as access, recreation, conservation, amenity, heritage and tourism 

Throughout  this  reform  process,  global  drivers  have  changed  the  international  context  for  EU 
food and farming with the demand for food increasing due to a rising world population, efforts to 
reduce malnutrition, the increasing consumption of livestock products linked to growing wealth 
and  greater  international  trade.  The  EU  is  by  now  the  largest  agricultural  exporter,  of  mainly 
high value products, as well as the biggest agricultural importer in the world, remaining by far 
the largest market for developing countries. 

In addition a wide range of new challenges face EU agriculture. Further globalisation, tightening 
energy supplies, climate change, unsustainable consumption of natural resources and the recent 
rise  of  food  prices  will  all  require  a  profound  understanding  of  the  triggers  of  future  changes, 
their inter-relationship and their potential impact on European agriculture and the rural space as a 
whole.  

2.3. 

Need for a renewed Agricultural Research Agenda 

To  cope  with  these  challenges,  it  is  widely  recognised9  that  there  is  a  need  for  a  renewed  and 
strengthened  agricultural  research  area.  Agricultural  research  should  provide  the  necessary 
knowledge for a thorough understanding of rural development, of the drivers and impediments 
for  sustainability,  and  the  required  science,  new  technologies  and  innovation  needed  for  the 
development of the agricultural sector.  

Furthermore the complexity of rural development must allow for the inclusion of research as a 
crucial tool to help broaden and enhance its impact. 

Until recently quantitative analysis of the CAP mainly focused on the First Pillar and economic 
models have been developed to this end. The situation has changed with the complexity of the 
Second Pillar, driven by characteristics such as the principle of subsidiarity or the diversity and 
multiplicity  of  rural  development  measures.  Here  development  and  application  of  appropriate 
quantitative  and  qualitative  research  methods  will  be  of  crucial  importance  to  improve  the 
analytical capacity with respect to growing importance of the Second Pillar. 

2.4. 

Need for action at EU level in the field of research 

Solutions to these projected developments will be needed in order to provide a sustainable future 
for the European agricultural sector and allow it to remain competitive worldwide. By the nature 
of these complex, inter-linked challenges it is unlikely that any one Member State will have the 
resources  or  capacity  to  carry  out  the  research  needed  to  support  the  development  and 
implementation of policy relating to these and other trans-boundary issues. 

In line with the Commission's commitment to delivering "Better Regulation" and, in particular, 
providing  high  quality  impact  assessments,  scientific  support  to  policy  using  results  and 
expertise originating from the research community have an increasing role in the identification of 
those  challenges  and  the  economic,  environmental  and  social  consequences  of  any  possible 
policy intervention. 

9 

Ref.  SCAR  Foresight,  World  Development  Report  2008;  IPCC  reports;  Millennium  Ecosystem  System 
Assessment. 

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In  response  to  these  societal  demands,  and  although  European  agricultural  research  involves  a 
broad spectrum of disciplines and stakeholders, research efforts often remain fragmented, poorly 
coordinated, underinvested, and lack critical mass.  

In  Europe  several  mechanisms  are  in  place,  and  especially  under  the  EU’s  Framework 
Programme,  which  help  to  foster  collaboration  between  research  providers.  Accordingly 
increasing coordination and cooperation between national research programmes, especially at the 
level of national funding, is an intrinsic priority in the creation of the European Research Area. 

One of the primary coordination mechanisms introduced by the 6th EU Framework Programme is 
the  ERA-NET  scheme10,  providing  funding  for  the  networking  of  programme  makers  and 
managers (those working in Ministries or in national funding agencies) and covers coordinated 
actions in any field of science and technology.  

Although several ERA-NETs of relevance to the area of agricultural research were launched the 
Agriculture Council agreed (November 2004) that collaboration in this area would benefit from a 
more structured approach. This conclusion has been taken forward by the Standing Committee 
on Agricultural Research (SCAR).  

The concept of Joint Programming11 goes a step further than the ERA-NET scheme and elicits 
the  direct  cooperation  of  Member  State  public  programmes  in  defining  common  visions, 
strategic research agendas, and the pooling of resources to tackle specific areas together. Some 
major  societal  problems  in  Europe  that  are  linked,  for  example,  to  climate  change,  the  energy 
crisis or food supplies would benefit in particular from a critical mass of public research efforts, 
as  identified  in  the  conclusions  of  the  informal  Competiveness  Council  meeting  on  17-18  July 
2008 in Versailles.  

The SCAR Committee was mentioned as a good example of a possible network structure in any 
new Joint Programming process. 

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11

Article 169 of the EC Treaty also enables the Community to participate in research programmes undertaken 
jointly by several Member States and is intended for topics of high political visibility and relevance. 
"Towards Joint Programming in Research" COM(2008) 468 final, 15.07.2008 

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3. 

INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN BY SCAR  

The SCAR Committee is taking forward coordination action on a number of fronts. It has taken a 
strategic  view  of  on-going  collaboration  between  funding  bodies  in  Europe,  identified  priority 
areas for further collaboration and established a number of member state Collaborative Working 
Groups  (CWGs).  It  has  initiated  a  foresight  exercise  to  formulate  possible  scenarios  for 
European  agriculture  over  the  next  20  years  on  which  to  base  the  prioritisation  of  agriculture-
related research in Europe in the medium to long term. The Committee is also involved in the 
mapping  of  EU  agricultural  research  capacity  through  the  monitoring  of  specific  European 
Commission funded projects and studies, which aim to analyse the status of agricultural and food 
research in Europe and identify the corresponding trends and needs.  

SCAR initiatives towards a 
European Research Area for Agriculture

1. FORESIGHT 
PROCESS

2. COMMON 
RESEARCH AGENDAS

Identify Scenarios 
Foresight Conference 
June 2007

Regular Survey & 
Alert Mechanism

Agreement on priority 
research topics

Collaborative 
Working Groups

Joint Programming

Report on gaps, 
trends & needs

3. MAPPING 
EU CAPACITIES

Mapping 
Activities

Mapping 
Infrastructures

EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA FOR AGRICULTURE
EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA FOR AGRICULTURE

Input to FP7 Theme 2 
“Food, Agriculture, 
Biotechnology”

ERA-Net
proposals

Identify priority 
research needs

Proposals of new, sharing 
existing, infrastructures

SCAR
SCAR
Working
Working
Group
Group

(cid:98)
(cid:98)(cid:98)
(cid:98)(cid:98)(cid:98)
(cid:98)(cid:98)
(cid:98)
(cid:98)(cid:98)(cid:98)
(cid:98)
(cid:98)(cid:98)
(cid:98)(cid:98)(cid:98)

EC report to EP and Council
end 2008

4. Communication 
SCAR WEBSITE

3.1. 

Towards common research agendas  

3.1.1.  Prioritisation exercise 

At  the  2599th  session  of  the  Agriculture  Council  of  19  July  2004,  the  Dutch  Presidency 
articulated  the  possible  merits  of  enhanced  cooperation  between  research  funders  and 
programme managers in the domain of Agriculture, Food, Rural Development and Fisheries. The 
delegations  of  the  25  EU  Member  States  received  a  questionnaire  aimed  at  producing  an 
overview of the research funding structures, as well as the current and future policy and research 
priorities of each EU Member State in this field.  

The meeting was attended by Commissioners Busquin and Fischler, who suggested considering 
the SCAR Committee as the operational instrument for the implementation of possible common 
research agendas/activities to be set up at European level. 

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On the basis of Member States’ responses to the questionnaire, the Dutch Presidency drew up a 
report12 which was submitted to the 2619th session of the Agriculture Council of 22 November 
2004 and the principal conclusions on the actions to be undertaken were unanimously adopted. 

Building on the Dutch Presidency report, SCAR adopted a structured approach for prioritisation 
of  research  topics.  A  comprehensive  table  of  co-operation  and  coordination  activities,  both 
research provider and research funder (ANNEX 1) was used alongside a list of agreed member 
state  priorities  for  collaboration  to  identify  key  areas  for  targeted  action  through  CWGs.  The 
table is regularly updated. 

3.1.2.  The establishment of Collaborative Working Groups (CWGs) 

In  June  2005  SCAR  identified  52  themes  for  potential  collaboration  of  research  funders  and 
programme managers with 26 countries offering to participate in at least one of these. Country 
coordinators  were  identified  for  10  of  the  themes  and  CWGs  established  and  the  first  of  these 
met  in  September  2005.  In  the  following  years,  4  additional  CWG  were  established.  Further 
information on the CWGs can be found (ANNEX 2). 

CWG Title 

Coordinator 

SCAR 
countries 

ICT and Robotics in Agro-Food Industries => ERA-NET PROPOSAL "ICT-AGRI" 

Denmark  

Renewable Raw Materials and their Applications in Non-Food Industry 

Sustainable Livestock Production from Grasslands 

Germany  

Ireland 

Relevant Issues for Mediterranean Agriculture => BECAME AN ERA-NET "ARIMNet" 

Italy/France 

Agriculture and Sustainable Development => ERA-NET PROPOSAL "RURAGRI" 

France 

Animal Health => BECAME AN ERA-NET "EMIDA" 

Animal Welfare started as a CWG 

UK 

Advanced Technologies for Climatic Control of Greenhouses and Livestock Housing 

Israel 

Adaptation of Human Nutrition to Environment Evolution 

Ecology for Ecosystems & Natural Resources Sustainable Management 

Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region 

France 

France 

Poland 

Common research agenda for EU rural policy => ERA-NET PROPOSAL "RURAGRI" 

Sweden/Netherlands 

Climate Change and Agriculture  

Agriculture and Energy 

Shared Infrastructures in the field of Agricultural Research  

Spain 

Germany 

France 

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14 

10 

8 

8 

7 

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12

"Towards  cooperation  between  research  funders  and  programme  managers  in  the  domain  of  Agriculture, 
Food,  Rural  Development  and  Fisheries  in  the  European  Union"  -  Report  written  for  The  Netherlands 
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality 

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CWGs are working in a similar way to ERA-Nets, following the same step-by-step approach - 
focussing on information exchange during the early stages, the identification of gaps in research 
and priority areas for collaboration but, ultimately, they should be aiming for common research 
calls. However, they are different in that do not have the financial support from the Commission 
enjoyed by the ERA-Nets, so need a strong commitment from participating countries in order to 
succeed. The role of SCAR in ensuring an adequate level of commitment needs to be considered. 

Although  they  were  intended  to  provide  an  alternative,  more  flexible,  mechanism  to  the  ERA-
Net scheme, the majority of CWGs have already indicated their intention to apply for ERA-NET 
status in FP7. Given that funding for this is limited and not all CWGs have the opportunity to 
become ERA-Nets, consideration is needed about how progress can be made in the absence of 
external  financial  support.  This  issue  also  needs  to  be  addressed  for  ERA-Nets  when  their 
financial support comes to an end. 

However, the dynamism of several CWGs in terms of commitment and participation paved the 
way for opening ERA-Nets opportunities in FP7 so that five CWGs declared their intention to 
submit ERA-Net proposals in the first relevant calls for proposals. Two of them (Animal health, 
Relevant  Issues  for  Mediterranean  Agriculture)  submitted  successful  proposals  in  call  FP7-
ERANET-2007  and  became  de  facto  ERA-Net  projects.  Three  of  them  (ICT  and  Robotics  in 
Agro-Food Industries, Agriculture and Sustainable Development, Common research agenda for 
EU  rural  policy)  submitted  successful  proposals  in  call  FP7-ERANET-2008  and  are  currently 
being negotiated. 

3.1.3.  Strategic oversight in the area of agricultural research 

The SCAR is currently addressing the question on how best to support the CWGs in their effort 
to  become  self-sustaining  and  in  terms  of  their  interaction  with  other  research  coordination 
bodies such as ERA-Nets and European Technology Platforms. 

This question is addressed in the wider role of SCAR in providing strategic oversight in the area 
of agricultural research collaboration which foresees: 

•  Monitoring the status of coordination of agricultural research,  including  the  development of 

CWGs, relevant ERA-Nets and related instruments and policies 

•  Assessment of research gaps and the implications of these for agriculture when viewed across 

the spectrum of European policies and action plans 

•  Advising on where alternative approaches to coordination of research programmes might be 

more appropriate  

To  do  this  effectively  the  Committee  will  need  to  take  into  consideration  many  factors  like 
developments  in  specific  research  programme  collaborations  that  occur  bilaterally  and 
multilaterally between member state funding organisations that fall outside of FP modalities and 
instruments; updates on Commission initiatives in research cooperation with third countries and 
international  organisations  and  actions  under  the  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC);  updates  on 
collaborative projects (Integrated Projects, Networks of Excellence, etc) that are directly relevant 
to agro-research and policy interests; intelligence from DG AGRI that relates to research needs 
for policy support and also from other DGs where directly relevant. 

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In that context, the SCAR Secretariat has carried out an analysis of current activities in selected 
ERA-Nets with a potential thematic relation to FP7, Specific Programme Cooperation, Theme 2 
Food,  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  and  Biotechnology.  The  aim  of  the  analysis  is  to  ensure  a 
coherent approach in the identification of research topics within ERA-Net joint calls on one side 
and  FP7-KBBE  work-programmes  on  the  other,  thus  identifying  gaps,  avoid  duplications  and 
promoting synergies. 

Such an exercise has also the scope to bring together the KBBE ERA-Net community to share 
views  on  mutual  achievements  and  expectations,  and  to  promote  mutual  learning  and  fully 
benefit from the experience gained. The ERA-Net Learning Platform and NETWATCH central 
information tool launched by the European Commission may be useful in that respect. 

3.2. 

Foresight process 

3.2.1.  The launch of the process 

In  recent  decades  human  impacts  on  the  environment  have  emerged  as  a  serious  concern. 
Though climate change is receiving the most public attention, there are many other factors that 
threaten ecosystems (including agriculture itself) and that have an adverse effect on agriculture, 
forests and fisheries.  

To enable agriculture to cope with a range of complex and interlinked challenges, such as rapidly 
increasing globalisation, climate change and unsustainable consumption of natural resources, the 
development  of  clear  futures  scenarios  are  important  in  ensuring  that  the  right  questions  are 
asked.  

This was the major conclusion of an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Krems on 
28-30  May  200613.  Ministers  felt  that  better  coordination  of  research  was  essential  to  enable 
Europe to successfully face the profound changes that lie ahead for the agricultural sector, and 
that a wide foresight process to be initiated by SCAR would allow an assessment of trends and 
their  implications  in  considering  the  prospects  for  agriculture  in  a  20-year  perspective  and  to 
enable the necessary political answers to be found. 

The  4th  SCAR-Plenary  in  June  2006  endorsed  the  overall  objective  of  analysing  possible 
scenarios  for  European  agriculture  in  a  20-year  perspective  through  an  exercise  based  on  a 
review of existing foresight studies. These scenarios were then to be used in the identification of 
priority research needs for the medium and long term.  

3.2.2.  A Foresight Expert Group 

The ambition of this initiative required expert support so a team of 10 independent experts with 
relevant knowledge and experience was contracted by the European Commission.  

The  major  task  of  this  expert  group  was  to  review  and  synthesise  existing  analytical  and 
foresight material in relation to the available foresight studies relating to the eight “major driving 
forces” for agriculture in Europe that had been identified by the SCAR Working Group14:  

13

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Presidency Conclusions, 16 June 2006 

The list was based on one drawn up during the EURAGRI members meeting in York (2005). 

16 

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climate change 

health 

environment 

societal changes 

economy and trade 

rural economy 

energy 

science and technology 

In  a  first  step,  the  expert  group  produced  a  foresight  paper  on  each  of  these  driving  forces  for 
agriculture in Europe, including an initial consideration of the perspectives and gaps for future 
agricultural research.  

In a second step, the analysis of these major driving forces and their possible interactions led to 
the  identification  of  four  futures  scenarios  (Climate  Shock,  Energy  Crisis,  Food  Crisis,  and 
Cooperation with Nature) to be used, both at the European and national level, in the definition of 
better policies and in the development of a medium to long-term research agenda for European 
agriculture  which  is  sufficiently  robust  and  evidence-based.  The  analysis  is  illustrated  in  a 
synthesis paper. 

3.2.3.  The involvement of the stakeholders 

The  reports  from  the  Expert  Group  were  disseminated  among  relevant  stakeholders  and 
discussed,  together  with  other  foresight  exercises,  in  a  Workshop  on  "Foresight  to  Set  Long-
Term  European  Agricultural  Research  Priorities",  which  was  held  in  Stockholm  on  29-30 
March  2007.  The  event  was  jointly  organised  by  the  Swedish  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  the 
Swedish Research Council (FORMAS), the SCAR and the Commission, and gathered around 60 
high-level experts and stakeholders. 

The  views  expressed  and  conclusions  drawn  during  the  workshop  were  used,  along  with  other 
stakeholder consultation, in preparing input for the Conference on "Towards Future Challenges 
of Agricultural Research in Europe" held in Brussels on 26-27 June 200715. The event brought 
together around  400  stakeholders from diverse background (e.g. the agriculture, food, forestry, 
aquaculture,  rural  development,  and  consumer  science/behaviour,  and  economics  areas)  from 
across the EU and was a major forum for discussion of foresight in relation to the European long 
term agriculture-related research agenda in a global context. 

The first results of this exercise led to the decision to launch new joint programming initiatives 
in  areas  which  represent  major  societal  challenges.  Among  them:  the  setting  up  of  two  new 
CWGs on "climate change and agriculture" and "agriculture and energy".  

Furthermore, a foresight monitoring and signalling mechanism aimed at providing better insight 
into  existing  and  new  trends  is  also  being  established  on  a  regular  basis  in  order  to  enable  a 
better  and  earlier  identification  of  emerging  issues  and  risks  to  prepare  for  forth-coming 
uncertainties (see 4.4). 

15

http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2007/scar/report_en.htm 

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3.3.  Mapping EU capacities 

3.3.1.  The "EU-AGRI-MAPPING" project (see 2.1) 

The SCAR Committee is involved in the mapping of EU agricultural research capacity through 
the European Commission funded “EU-AGRI-MAPPING” project, which analysed the status of 
agricultural and food research in Europe and identify trends and needs in this field. In providing 
key  figures  on  the  national  organisation  of  agricultural  research  and  an  overall  picture  of 
developments in agricultural research within the EU, the project contributed to the assessment of 
desirable  developments  in  agricultural  research  in  the  Member/Associated  States  and  in  the 
coordination of that research at EU level. 

3.3.2. 

Initiatives on agricultural research infrastructures 

As part of SCAR’s strategic discussions on agricultural research in Europe, the issue of research 
infrastructures  was  considered  to  be  a  priority.  In  September  2005  the  Committee  addressed  a 
note to ESFRI (European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures) on the issue of very large 
infrastructures of relevance to agriculture16. This was an attempt to raise the profile of agriculture 
research infrastructures in the ESFRI discussions and to provide examples of the large research 
facilities that might be needed in this area. 

In addition to the more familiar and general large-scale infrastructures for research, SCAR has 
highlighted the high demand for networking of distributed facilities and clusters of expertise, and 
therefore for management. These so called “virtual” centres of infrastructures carry an additional 
resource cost in, for example, providing interoperability. Infrastructures also provide a range of 
unique  support  services  (for  research)  that  are  critical  to  delivery.  For  example:  unique  data 
management,  interpretation  and  handling  capacities;  ‘knowledge  management  infrastructures’ 
(such  as  statistics,  design  technologies,  epidemiology,  risk  assessment  expertise,  data  archives, 
and  ‘social  science’  infrastructures)  and  also  unique  support  facilities  (such  as  high-level 
containment  and  experimental/housing  facilities  and  expert  trained  support  personnel). 
Comparability  of  operations  and  management  across  networked  facilities  also  needs  to  be 
supported.  

The  Committee  also  highlighted  the  need  for  infrastructures  programmes  to  support  training, 
including  the  training  of  support  personnel  and  technical  expertise,  as  research  success  is 
dependant upon technical development. 

At  its  meeting  on  June  2006  SCAR  agreed  that  the  identification  and  subsequent  delivery  of 
specific  infrastructures,  of  specialist  capacities  and  of  services  for  research,  should  be  for 
national,  European  and  international  funders  to  determine,  acting  in  a  systematic,  coordinated 
and  anticipatory  way.  Decisions  should  be  informed  by  the  research  providers  and  should  be 
based upon clear evidence of need and of potential long-term value. With this in mind, SCAR 
has  contacted  its  Collaborative  Working  Groups  and  relevant  ERA-NETs,  inviting  them  to 
consider  the  research  infrastructures  issue  in  the  context  of  their  developing  plans  for  future 
research coordination, and to provide in particular: 

16

SCAR note to ESFRI, “Research infrastructures required in the field of agricultural research”, 31 August 
2005. 

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•  An  overview  of  the  main  activities  of  the  ERA-NET/CWG  in  the  field  of  research 

infrastructures 

•  A mapping of the main existing facilities detailing the priorities to improve European capacity 

in the particular domain 

•  Information on the main obstacles to the sharing of infrastructures at the European level 

•  Suggestions for a better common use of these infrastructures 

Building on this survey, SCAR decided at its meeting on June 2008 that a new CWG in the area 
of  “shared  infrastructures  for  European  agro-food  research”  would  be  set  up  with  the  aim  to 
identify the future needs of agricultural research and design new models of governance in order 
to share infrastructures efficiently at a European scale. 

The expected deliverables from the CWG are the following: 

•  A  report  on  current  initiatives  on  agricultural  research  infrastructures  at  national  and 

European level: list, analysis, applications 

•  Results of the CWG survey  

•  A report on research themes having priorities in the future and their need in infrastructures, 

giving an analysis of the gaps and advice for a co-operative agenda on EU level 

•  A report giving advice for an efficient sharing of research infrastructures at a European scale 

3.3.3.  A dedicated website 

A  dedicated  website  provides  a  complete  and  updated  picture  of  the  national  agricultural 
research systems in all SCAR countries17. 

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http://ec.europa.eu/research/agriculture/scar/index_en.cfm 

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4. 

KEY ACTIONS FOR A COHERENT EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AGENDA 

4.1. 

Towards a more sustainable agriculture in the face of global competition 

It is widely recognised that the worldwide resource base (biodiversity, soil, water) is struggling 
to  cope  with  the  interlinked  effects  of  energy  shortages,  climate  change  and  unsustainable 
consumption  of  natural  resources,  with  an  increasing  risk  of  crossing  critical  thresholds  which 
may trigger abrupt system changes. 

The maintenance of a viable resource base is a pre-condition for all ecosystem functions and for 
the  achievement  of  a  sustainable  European  agriculture.  Sustainability,  which  covers  economic, 
social and environmental aspects, as well as the public good aspects of agriculture, is of outmost 
importance. 

In parallel, globalisation makes the need for an internationally competitive European agricultural 
sector  an  increasingly  important  issue.  The  major  research  challenge  is  how  to  reconcile  these 
two goals of a sustainable production system while remaining competitive in world markets. 

Alongside  ensuring  sustainability  and  competiveness,  agricultural  research  needs  to  provide 
evidence to support appropriate policy development and implementation. 

To  achieve  this  goal,  the  EU  needs  sufficient  research  capacity  to  analyse  problems  from 
different  disciplinary  perspectives,  synthesise  these  findings  in  a  holistic  way  (economic, 
ecological  and  social)  and  provide  the  necessary  mechanisms  to  ensure  the  right  research  is 
carried out. 

4.2. 

New priority areas for the future Agricultural Research Agenda  

New emerging challenges require targeted responses from appropriate priority research areas for 
the future Agricultural Research Agenda. 

The  foresight  process  initiated  by  SCAR  and  the  conclusions  from  the  June  2007  Conference 
highlighted  the  importance  of  a  number  of  topics  such  as  biodiversity,  organic  farming,  food 
safety,  integration  of  environmental  technologies  within  agriculture,  biotechnology,  emerging 
animal diseases, as well as emerging plant pests and diseases. In addition it was remarked that 
the  interface  between  agriculture,  climate  change,  and  energy  were  major  societal  challenges 
deserving a more prominent place on any future research agenda.  

This trend was also confirmed by the European Council of 20 June 200818 stating that "there is a 
need  to  pursue  innovation,  research  and  development  of  agricultural  production,  notably  to 
enhance its energy efficiency, productivity growth and ability to adapt to climate change." 

Climate change  

Climate change is one of the main hazards to sustainable development, and represents one of the 
greatest  environmental  challenges,  adversely  affecting  global  economy,  health  and  social 
welfare.  Climate  change  can  affect  crop  yields,  livestock  management  and  the  location  of 

18

Presidency Conclusion n° 28 of the European Council, 20 June 2008  

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production  and  can  also  have  important  consequences  for  farm  income,  land  use  and  rural 
economies in certain parts of Europe. 

The  "Health  Check"  of  the  CAP  is  addressing  the  risks  of  climate  change  as  one  of  the  new 
challenges and the area has become an issue for European national research programmes, which 
need to address the risks to agriculture and search for improved agricultural practices that will 
help the agricultural sector to adapt and mitigate the impacts of farming on climate. 

In this context, it is underlined the importance of continued research on the contribution that soil 
management practices can have in maintaining or increasing soil organic matter levels across the 
EU. Soil organic matter plays a crucial role not only in the carbon cycle, but also for supporting 
soil fertility, improving soil structure, and increasing water retention, thus resilience of soils to 
climatic stresses. 

The Commission's Green Paper “Adapting to climate change in Europe – options for EU action” 
indicated  that  adaptation  policies  are  emerging  in  nearly  all  Member  States,  and  that  it  is 
essential to share experiences from early adaptation action and results from research. Adaptation 
to  climate  change  is  likely  to  benefit  from  experience  gained  in  reaction  to  extreme  climate 
events and from implementation of specific and proactive climate change risk management. 

Agriculture  and  climate  change  was  identified  as  a  priority  area  by  SCAR  foresight  activity 
carried  out  during  2006/0719  and  as  a  significant  gap  in  the  coordination  of  research  at  the 
European level. At its meeting in December 2007 SCAR, therefore, agreed that a new CWG on 
“Climate  change  and  agriculture”  should  be  formed  to  consider  how  climate  change  affects 
agriculture,  and  how  agriculture  could  be  adapted  to  climate  change  (including  mitigation  of 
agricultural impacts on climate change). A strategy based on a variable geometry model might be 
an appropriate approach. 

Energy  

As  regards  the  energy  issue,  growing  demands  for  food,  bio-energy  and  biomass  for  non-food 
applications  take  place  in  a  world  with  shrinking  water  and  land  resources,  increasing  soil 
degradation and rising temperatures all impairing on land productivity.  

This scenario gives a strong reminder to governments to develop agricultural technologies and to 
adjust  energy  and  agriculture  policies  (e.g.  EU  energy  policy  and  targets),  underpinned  by 
appropriate research support measures at the agriculture-energy-interface. 

Currently,  high  expectations  for  bioenergy  (independency  of  fossil  resources,  climate  change 
mitigation,  and  job  creation  in  the  rural  areas)  stand  vis-à-vis  the  increasing  public  concerns 
(competition  with  food  production,  ecological  side-effects,  profitability,  negative  effects  in 
developing  countries);  which  makes  the  agriculture-energy-interface  a  very  sensitive  political 
issue for the future. 

Several  on-going  activities  in  FP  6  and  7  Themes  (in  particular,  IPs  and  NoEs),  ERA-NETs, 
SCAR-CWGs,  ETPs,  etc.  are  -  fully  or  partly  -  dealing  with  the  agriculture-energy-interface; 
however, there are no overarching mechanisms and structures to analyze the links between them 
and to give strategic advice to the research funders in the area for a closer co-operation and co-
ordination. 

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A new CWG "Agriculture-Energy-Interface" might help elaborating the co-ordination needs for 
research funding at the interface between agriculture and energy in the broadest sense (“holistic 
approach”) covering not only the scientific-technological challenges for biomass and bioenergy 
production,  but  also  the  industrial,  ecological,  socio-economic  and  rural  dimension  of  the 
subject.  Particular  attention  will  be  paid  to  the  effects  of  biofuel  and  biomass  production  on 
water quality, soil organic matter and biodiversity. 

4.3. 

Strengthening the agricultural knowledge production and sharing in Europe 

The mounting challenges facing agro-food and rural sectors in Europe call for revising the links 
between knowledge production and its use to foster innovation, as clearly indicated by the key 
messages from the foresight process and the Brussels international Conference. 

Research could play a stronger role, if different actors (farmers, researchers, advisory services, 
consumers,  private  sector,  civil  society,  policy  makers)  are  better  integrated  in  actual  agenda 
setting and become an integral part of the research process in the form of an innovation network. 
At  the  same  time  agricultural  research  needs  to  become  more  innovative,  and  it  needs  to  find 
ways to attract top scientists and technologists into the sector. 

The  reward  system  for  academic  university  research  is  oriented  towards  publications  in  peer 
reviewed  journals,  while  an  efficient  innovation  network  would  provide  tailor  made  research 
solutions responding directly to practical problems which take full account of farmers and other 
stakeholders' knowledge. Integrated research and advisory systems could provide a solution, but 
in  many  European  regions  public  advisory  systems  no  longer  exist  or  have  been  privatised.  A 
new approach to advisory systems in the frame of the CAP could be a new starting point if they 
were linked to knowledge networks. Both vocational and higher education must be strengthened, 
so that farmers would benefit from life long learning and university research would benefit from 
the inclusion of practical aspects of farming.  

The workshop "Strengthening the links between knowledge and innovation in Europe" on 6-7th 
October  in  Angers  is  providing  an  opportunity  to  identify  the  key  features  of  a  European 
agricultural  knowledge  system.  The  workshop  aims  at  reviewing  the  ways  the  links  between 
knowledge  and  innovation  are  organised  in  Europe,  to  analyse  motives  and  consideration  for 
such organisation and to share experience from important reforms in several European countries 
in order to identify potential « best practices ».  

The  stakes  are  high:  how  to  maintain  a  sufficient  level  of  technical  and  scientific  level  among 
actors  in  order  for  them  to  respond  to  global  and  local  changes  and  to  enhance  their 
entrepreneurial skills; how to orient development work and to link it to continuous education of 
the  actors;  how  to  conceive  a  new  CAP  that  is  supported  by  strong  innovation  systems  in 
agriculture. 

There  is  a  variety  of  organisational  models  to  strengthen  links  between  knowledge  production 
and  use.  Linear  and  non  linear  models  coexist.  Leading  roles  can  be  taken  by  researchers, 
professionals,  civil  society  organisations  or  governments  in  a  variety  of  institutional 
arrangements. The place of research organisations and the ways they interact with other players 
also differ from one model to the other. There is a need for a typology of these models and for 
identifying good practices. 

EN 

22 

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In addition it is necessary to reflect on the respective roles of public and private organisations in 
linking knowledge to innovation as well as on the regional dimension, taking account of regional 
dynamics on that matter. The case of new member states should also be examined thoroughly. 

The  conclusion  of  the  workshop  will  be  fed  into  the  SCAR  process  and  will  be  mobilised  by 
SCAR in its dialogue with the Commission and the Member States.  

The Commission intends to pursue work in this domain through SCAR, in order to identify the 
agricultural  knowledge  structures  in  each  Member  State  and  discuss  possible  ways  forward 
perhaps through the initial formation of a CWG.  

In  this  context,  the  European  Network  for  Rural  Development,  as  laid  down  by  Article  67  of 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1698/2005,  constitutes  a  suitable  forum  to  address  technology 
transfer,  as  part  of  the  improved  implementation  of  rural  development  programmes.  The 
Commission is currently assessing the possible ways to feed “Research and innovation” into the 
agenda  of  the  network,  notably  in  a  2009  seminar  looking  at  innovation  for  the  new 
environmental challenges. 

Furthermore,  since  advisory  and  extension  services  would  play  a  significant  role  in  the 
development of any future European agricultural knowledge system, the Commission intends to 
take  into  account  the  findings  of  the  SCAR  in  this  area  in  its  report  on  the  Farm  Advisory 
System, which must be submitted to Council by 2010.  

4.4. 

Consolidating joint research programming  

In  the  light  of  the  ERA-Net  scheme,  Member  States  have  slowly  started  to  rethink  previously 
isolated  national  approaches  towards  new  cross-border  challenges  in  all  research  fields.  The 
recent Communication of the Commission "Towards Joint Programming in Research"20 foresees 
a  new  impetus  towards  a  more  strategic  approach  to  the  coordinated  programming  of  public 
research within the ERA. 

Joint  programming  is  expected  to  be  implemented  in  a  strategic  manner,  to  address  major 
societal  challenges,  selected  according  to  commonly  shared  criteria  and  implemented  under  an 
agreed  flexible  governance  structure.  Joint  programming  should  also  be  complemented  by 
common or compatible methodologies for monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. 

The SCAR Committee has proved to be de facto the reference framework for a more coordinated 
approach to programming of public research in agriculture and could play an important role in 
this new Joint Programming process. 

The  development  of  effective  and  coordinated  long-term  programming  in  agricultural  research 
should be based on a coherent strategy that will allow a regular consultation of all research actors 
in the framework of the wider Ljubljana process for governance of the ERA. 

In that perspective, the strategic role of the SCAR Committee could be further strengthened in 
order to  become the strategic oversight body supervising the various  agriculture-related  efforts 
carried  out  by  all  European  public  research  bodies,  and  also  facilitating  dialogue  with  related 

20

COM(2008) 468 final, 15.07.2008 

EN 

23 

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stakeholders in Technology Platforms who are involved in the definition of common visions and 
strategic agendas in similar research fields.  

In this respect, an informal Competiveness Council meeting held on 17 July 2008 in Versailles 
under the French Presidency had food and agriculture as one of four main issues facing society 
today. It highlighted the need for a shared vision based on a "true scientific partnership policy" 
between  private  and  public  sectors  and  on  the  establishment  of  an  "Alliance"  of  research 
organisations alongside SCAR and Technology Platforms (ETPs). The Council also stressed that 
the new Joint Programming framework offers an opportunity for agri-food research, and that a 
comprehensive international initiative for food security would be useful. It also stressed that that 
there  was  a  clear  need  for  increased  budget  and  better  articulation  between  research  priorities 
and the CAP. 

4.5. 

Developing an inter/multidisciplinary and more systems-oriented research effort 

The  complexity  of  the  challenges  necessitates  broader,  interdisciplinary  research  efforts, 
involving disciplines from outside the traditional and established approaches. It also calls for a 
careful  analysis  and  mitigation  of  all  negative  cost  factors  and  externalities  involved  with  the 
implementation of any sustainable development actions.  

A  wide  variety  of  technologies  must,  therefore,  be  used  and,  mind  sets  changed  in  order  to 
address  the  broader  challenges  found  in  areas  such  as  social  sciences,  demographic 
developments, consumer confidence, and end-user orientation of research. 

Policy  has  to  analyse  the  predominant  bottlenecks  and  put  the  necessary  administrative 
corrections  into  place  to  make  the  research  systems  fit  for  purpose.  Higher  education  and 
research  training  schemes  have  to  be  adapted  to  the  new  demands,  as  highlighted  by  the 
workshop in Angers. 

4.6. 

Developing a foresight monitoring capacity 

Thinking ahead during times of rapid change is essential so that better informed decisions can be 
taken.  Considering  the  dynamics  of  change  it  is  clear  that  a  one-off  foresight  exercise  is  not 
sufficient  and  that  a  mechanism  is  needed  to  allow  regular  review  of  past  decisions  and  to 
provide information to support the decision-making process in the light of new challenges. 

The  establishment  of  a  monitoring  mechanism  based  on  a  regular  surveying  of  on-going 
foresight  would  provide  a  better  understanding  and  insight  into  existing  and  new  trends  and 
allow the Committee and the agricultural research community to clearly anticipate the challenges 
and problems that we may face in the years to come, and to come up with practical solutions.  

The  major  objective  of  the  monitoring  mechanism  would  be  (i)  the  provision  of  a  systematic 
approach  for  identifying  potential  threats,  opportunities  and  likely  future  developments  of 
importance  to  European  agriculture,  and  (ii)  to  highlight  the  possible  implications  of  such 
developments for future research policy orientation at European and Member States levels.  

The SCAR WG was mandated by the SCAR-Plenary in December 2007 to further develop the 
frame for the development of the suggested mechanism. For that purpose the SCAR-WG set up a 
specific "SCAR foresight group" (SCAR-FG) which will be supported by contracted experts in). 
The  Commission  will  contract  up  to  on  the  following  terms  of  reference.  In  addition  experts 
from selected EU foresight-projects will be invited to give input and attend the meetings.  

EN 

24 

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As a first implementation step, a second foresight expert group, a "Consultancy Expert Group" 
(CEG)  of  5  independent  experts  was  contracted  by  the  Commission  to  scan  what  has  been 
happening in the foresight area since the work carried out by the FEG. The group will conduct a 
more  strategic  approach  on  the  implications  of  foresight  for  4  topics  (2  thematic  +  2  cross-
cutting) and provide advice to SCAR on the concrete issues to be addressed by research in the 
medium to long terms.  

Agriculture/climate change/environment/health  

Agriculture/energy/biomass/green chemistry  

Agri-policy/rural areas  

Agricultural knowledge systems  

Thematic 

Cross-cutting 

4.7. 

Developing the international dimension of the European agro-food research 

In  June  2007,  the  two  back-to-back  conferences  "Towards  Future  Challenges  of  Agricultural 
Research in Europe" 26-27 June 2007 organised by the SCAR, and "Agricultural Research for 
Development  (ARD)  in  Europe:  towards  a  shared  vision"  28-29  June  2007  organised  by  the 
ERA-ARD project21 clearly showed that: 

•  Some  of  the  emerging  global  challenges  for  Europe  identified  by  both  conferences  are  the 
same,  e.g.  climate  change,  bioenergies,  food  security.  They  both  stressed  the  need  for 
international agricultural research (AR) activities and cooperation to address them. 

•  The  two  conferences  also  questioned  the  way  agricultural  research  (AR)  is  implemented  in 
order  to  improve  its  impact  for  Europe  and  developing  and  emerging  economy  countries 
(DEEC). In particular, the necessity to involve farmer organisations, private sector, and end-
users in the definition, implementation and monitoring of research activities. 

As a result, it was concluded that there is a progressive convergence of AR for DEEC and AR 
for  Europe,  and  Europe  should  improve  the  coordination  between  the  two,  which  are 
insufficiently linked. Addressing this issue is precisely the objective of the ERA concept which 
the Commission is actively promoting. Therefore, the Commission proposed to SCAR, EIARD 
and ERA-ARD to explore how Europe and DEEC could benefit from European synergies in the 
area  of  international  AR,  while  at  the  same  time  developing  the  European  contribution  to  the 
international agricultural research agenda. 

In this context the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology 
for Development (IAASTD) provides important analysis and proposals for action. 

SCAR, EIARD and ERA-ARD then agreed to set up a Task Force to draw recommendations to 
foster complementarity and synergies between AR for DEEC and AR for Europe. 

The  mandate  of  the  Task  Force  does  not  cover  the  whole  European  international  agricultural 
research area, since it does not address collaboration with industrialised countries, like USA and 

21

ERA-ARD is an FP6 Project of the European Commission’s ERA-NET Scheme 

EN 

25 

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Australia, but with DEEC, and the Mediterranean neighbouring countries which are considered 
as part of the emerging economy countries. 

In order to create synergies between European AR agendas for EU and DEEC, the Task Force 
was assigned with: 

•  Identifying research themes of common interest 

•  Analysing barriers for closer coordination 

•  Proposing modalities for closer collaboration 

The Task Force recommended that a policy framework for international agricultural research to 
foster and facilitate coherent research activities and partnership should be established.  

Such  a  framework  would  allow  research  cooperation  addressing  common  research  priorities 
(climate  change,  bioenergy,  food  security  &  safety);  supporting  agricultural  research  and 
education platforms open to European and DEEC scientists and students; sharing information on 
European policies, programmes, funding instruments and opportunities, and activities related to 
international  agricultural  research;  better  communicating  about  the  contribution  that  European 
agricultural research can deliver for the Millennium Development Goal. 

To  ensure  the  coherence  of  such  a  framework,  synergies  within  and  outside  Europe  must  be 
strengthened.  From  an  EU  perspective,  there  is  a  need  to  enhance  synergies  with  other  EU 
external policies such as development aid and the European Neighbourhood Policy. Worldwide, 
Europe should take a more active approach to defining the global R&D agenda in international 
organisations  (UN  agencies,  World  Bank,  OECD,  G8)  and  multilateral  fora  (African  Union, 
ASEAN, Mercosur) and agricultural research global actors (GFAR22, CGIAR23).  

In  this  context,  the  international  mandate  of  SCAR  could  be  further  strengthened  in  line  with 
contributions from the European Initiative on Agricultural Research for Development24 (EIARD) 
which  should  reinforce  its  coordinating  role  of  Commission  and  MS  supports  to  agricultural 
research targeting the needs of DEEC, and the ongoing ERA-NET ERA-ARD. 

22

23
24 

Global Forum on Agricultural Research 
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research 
COM(97)126 “The European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD)” 

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26 

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Annex 1 – Co-ordination between research funders in the domain of agriculture related research in the EU 

•  This co-ordination table gives an overview of coordination activities in Europe. This is about the co-ordinated development of research agenda’s 

(which should be distinguished from co-operation in Europe, which is about common research projects) 

•  co-ordination can have different forms: 

•  industry led technology platforms where stakeholders discuss the long term research agenda and commitments 
•  ERA net EU subsidized projects for the co-ordinated development of the research agenda and long term cooperation in it 
•  Working groups, started on the initiative of one country where others can affiliate with 

•  the table aims at being as complete as possible, sometimes it is somewhat arbitrary to decide if a certain activity is within SCAR’s domain or not 
•  the table reflects the layered research agenda: issues, themes and programmes 
•  the table is regularly updated and placed on the SCAR website 
Issues 
(main 
in society)  
food 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 
food quality 

food chain and network management 

portfolio 

issues 

- ERA-net CA on Food Safety Research Programming 
(SAFEFOODERA) http://www.safefoodera.net/ 
- TP Food for Life http://etp.ciaa.be/asp/home.asp 
- Expert Group on FOOD and HEALTH research (KBBE-Net) 

analysis,  detection  and  control,  including  validation  and 
standardisation of testing and evaluation methods 
feed quality 
traceability, certification 

nutrition and health 

endocrine disruptors 
residues 
food processing 

food patterns and health 
functional foods 

- ERA-Net SSA on identification of emerging risks in the field of food 
production (PERIAPT) http://www.periapt.net/default.aspx 

- CWG Adaptation of Human Nutrition to Environment Evolution (FR) 

25

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http://www.cordis.lu/coordination/era-net.htm and http://cordis.europa.eu/coordination/projects.htm (projects overview and description) 
http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms/home_en.html and ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/technology-platforms/docs/ki7305429ecd.pdf (status report May 2006 with a 
brief description of all platforms and their products 

27 

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Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

food technology 

sustainable 
agriculture 

food security 

crop production 

nutrigenomics 
proteomics 
personal diets 
nutrition and allergies 
metabolomics 
safe and efficient food processing 

waste management 
energy saving processes 
catalysis 
packaging 
global food systems 

integrated crop management 
arable and horticultural crop ecology 
arable and horticultural crop commodity storage 
arable  and  horticultural  crop  genetic  improvement  and 
breeding 
plant genetic resources 
plant varieties and seeds 
phytosanitary policy, plant health, statutory plant harmful 
organisms 
plant health 
development of draught and disease resistant crops 
improved crop protection 
precision farming 

-Networking, coordination, cooperation and integration of national RTD 
Programmes in the field of the sustainable enterprise SUSPRISE 
http://www.susprise.net/ 

- ERA NET CA Applied Catalysis http://www.acenet.net/ 

-  ERA-NET  SSA  Research  programmes 
technology for the developing world http://www.oieau.fr/eranet/ 

in  water  science  and 

- CWG Agriculture and sustainable development (FR)  
- CWG Common research agenda for EU rural policy (SE-NL) 
- ERA-NET proposal "RURAGRI" in negotiation 
- TP Plants for the Future  

- ERA-NET EUPHRESCO http://www.euphresco.org/ 

-  TP  Manufuture,  http://www.manufuture.org,  collective  initiative: 
Agricultural Engineering and Technologies 
- CWG and ERA-NET in negotiation: ICT and robotics in agriculture 

EN 

28 

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Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

alternative disease control strategies 
high quality plants (with more essential macro- and micro-
nutrients) 
low input crop systems 
coexistence 
agro-biodiversity 

sustainable 
farming 

livestock 

animal health and welfare 

improving production efficiency 
grass based livestock production 
improving milk and meat quality 
optimising nutrient efficiency 
farming systems 
reproduction 

embryology 
disease prevention 
disease resistant breeding 
animal manure management 
management and use of animal residues 
animal genetic resources 
microbial genetic resources 

disease detection 
new diseases 
vaccine development 
vaccine production 
antibiotics resistance 
animal infectious diseases (incl. zoonoses) 

- ERA-NET Core-Organic, http://www.core-organic.org/ 

- CWG Sustainable Livestock production from grassland (IE) 

- Farm Animal Breeding and Reproduction Technology Platform 
(FABRE-TP) http://www.fabretp.org/ 

- ERA-NET CA Towards Sustainable Integration of Animal Welfare in 
Food Production (ANIMAL WELFARE) 
http://www.welfarequality.net/everyone 
- TP European Technology Platform for Global Animal Health (GAH)  
- CWG Animal welfare (UK)  
- ERA-NET EMIDA http://www.emida-era.net/  

EN 

29 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

parasitology 
biosecurity 
pet animals 
experimental animals 

organic farming 

multifunctional 
systems 
transport 

farming 

agro-logistics  

tracking and tracing 
product quality preservation 
invasive species 
gps 
animal welfare 

energy 

bioenergy 

wind parks 

- ERA-NET CA on organic food and farming (Core Organic) 
http://www.core-organic.org/ 
-  Organic  research  technology  platform,  organised  by  the  IFOAM  EU 
group (to be launched soon) 

- ERA-CA Net on transport http://www.transport-era.net/ 
- ERA-NET ROAD – Coordination and implementation of Road -
Research in Europe http://www.road-era.net/ 
- TP ERTRAC European Road Transport Research Advisory Council  
- TP ERRAC European Rail Research Advisory Council  
- TP water transport research http://waterborne.balport.com/ 

- Innovative Energy Research http://www.inner-era.net/ (under 
construction) 
- CWG "agriculture-energy-interface" 
- ERA-NET CA on Bioenergy 
http://www.eranetbioenergy.net/website/exec/front 
- ERA-NET CA to Establish a Hydrogen and Fuel Cell ERA-Net, - 
Hydrogen Coalition (HY-CO) http://www.hy-co-era.net/ 
The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (HFP)  
- ERA-NET CA Networking and Integration of National and Regional 
Programmes in the Field of Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy Research 
and Technological Development (RTD) in the ERA (PV-ERA-NET) 
http://www.pv-era.net/cms01/showlinx.asp?lang=e 

EN 

30 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

energy saving technologies 
CO2 emission reduction  
smart transport systems 
energy saving in food processing 

natural 
resources 

water 

sustainable  water  management 
ecosystems 

for  agriculture  and 

water framework directive 

water quality 
aquatic habitats 
flood prevention and management 

agriculture and air quality 

soil quality 

soil management and conservation 
soil quality, ecology and function 
agrobiodiversity 
animal biodiversity 

air 

soil  

biodiversity 

- ERA-NET CA Scientific Knowledge for Environmental Protection 
http://www.skep-era.net/site/50.asp 
- CWG Ecology for ecosystems & natural re-sources sustainable 
management (FR)  
- The European Polar Consortium  
http://www.europolar.org/pages/1/index.htm 
- TP Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform 
(WSSTP) Towards a European-wide exchange Network for improving 
dissemination of Integrated Water Resources Management Research 
outcomes http://www.wsstp.eu/site/online/home 

- Towards a European-wide exchange Network for integrating research 
efforts on Integrated Water Resources Management 
http://www.iwrm-net.org/ 

- ERA-NET CA on Flood risk management (CRUE) 
http://www.crue-eranet.net/ 

- ERA-NET CA on sustainable management of soil and groundwater 
under the pressure of soil pollution and soil contamination 
(SNOWMAN) 

EN 

31 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

plant biodiversity 

networks 

ecological 
defragmentation 
nature conservation 

and 

corridors, 

including 

- An ERA-NET in Biodiversity Research (BiodivERsA) 
http://www.eurobiodiversa.org/ 

Convention on Biological Diversity 
marine resources 

climate change 

inpact  of  climate  change  on  agriculture, 
adaptation and mitigation strategies 

including 

inpact of climate change on agriculture 
biodiversity 

invasive species 
climate  change  models  and  forecasts  at  both  global  and 
regional level 
climate change monitoring, detection, attribution 

- ERA-NET Networking and Integration of National Programmes in the 
Area of Wood Material Science and Engineering 
http://www.woodwisdom.net/  

- ERA-NET CA Co-ordination of National and Regional Marine RTD 
Activities in Europe (MarinERA) 
http://www.marinera.net/ 
- ERA-NET European Consortium of Ocean Research Drilling 
(ECORD) 
http://www.ecord.org/ 
- ERA-NET SSA Climate Impact Research Co-ordination within a 
Larger Europe (CIRCLE) http://www.circle-era.net 
- CWG "Agriculture and climate change" 

- An ERA-NET in Biodiversity Research (BiodivERsA) 
http://www.eurobiodiversa.org/ 

rural 
development 

rural economies 

threats 

-  CWG  and  ERA-NET under  negotiation  ´Sustainable  Agriculture  and 
Rural Development` 

multifunctionality 

demographic changes 
community structure 
urban-rural interactions 
green services 
land management 
conservation of (national) cultural heritage 
recreational functions of landscape 

32 

EN 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

social cohesion 

support 
policies 

to 

CAP  

EU Directives  

value of public goods 
land use policy 

cross compliance monitoring in EU member states 

market analysis and models 
New  technical  developments  in  the  field  of  controls  of 
direct payments 
quantification  of  cost  and  benefits  of  environmental 
policies 
water framework directive 

habitat directive 
Sustainable Soils Directive 

trade  and 

agri-environment schemes 
international 
treaties 
European integration 
foresights 

services directive 

new countries 

natura 2000 
bioterrorism 

biobased 
materials 

non-food 
utilization 
agricultural products 

of 

plant based vaccine production 

renewable industrial materials 

- Towards a European-wide exchange Network for integrating research 
efforts on Integrated Water Resources Management 
http://www.iwrm-net.org/ 

- ERA-NET CA on sustainable management of soil and groundwater 
under the pressure of soil pollution and soil contamination 
(SNOWMAN) 

- Southeast European ERA-NET CA http://www.see-era.net/index.html 
- Transnational Foresight ERA-Net CA  
http://www.eranet-forsociety.net/ForSociety/ 

- ERA-NET CA Networking and Integration of National Programmes in 
the Area of Wood Material Science and Engineering 
http://www.woodwisdom.net/ 

EN 

33 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

bio-energy 

bioplastics 
colorants 
cosmetics 
fiber materials 

- CWG Renewable Raw Material for Industry (DE) 
- ERA-NET CA on Bioenergy  
http://www.eranetbioenergy.net/website/exec/front 

key 
technologies 

ICT 

- ERA-NET CA ICT in traditional manufacturing ETRANET 
http://www.etranet.net/index.cfm 

tracking and tracing systems 
identification and registration systems 
robot technology  
precision agriculture 

genomics 

proteomics 
biotechnology 

(bio) nanotechnologies 

marine biotechnology 
array technology 

space 

EN 

- CWG ICT and robotics in agriculture (DK) ERA-NET in nogotiation 

- ERA-NET CA on plant genomics (ERA-PG) 
http://www.erapg.org/everyone 
- ERA-NET CA on societal aspects of genomics ERA-SAGE  
http://www.erasage.org/ 

- Technology Platform on Sustainable Chemistry (with a white 
biotechnology sub-section) 
- ERA-NET CA Trans national collaborative RTD for SME’s projects 
in the field of biotechnology http://www.eurotransbio.net/ 
- Towards an ERA in Industrial Biotechnology ERA-IB  
http://www.era-ib.net  
- CWG on Marine Biotechnology 

- TP ENIAC - European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council  
- ERA-NET CA Nanoscience in the European Research Area 
http://www.nanoscience-europe.net/ 
- ERA-NET CA From micro and nano-scale science to new 
technologies for Europe 
http://www.mnt-era.net/home.html 
- TP ACARE - Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe  

34 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

gps (animal transport) 
earth  observation  and  remote  sensing  for  monitoring  and 
management 

- TP The European Space Technology Platform (ESTP)  

- ERA – Space Technologies Applications & Research for the Regions 
and medium-sized Countries 
http://www.era-star.net/ShowPage.aspx?tabId=-1 

separation technologies 
emerging technologies 
system biology 

bioencapsulation 

fisheries 
research 

forestry 
research 

research policy  research infrastructures 
mobility 
research for development 

cooperation  with 
and 
enterprises 

medium 

(small 
size) 

coordination  of  national 
research programmes 

- CA Towards a European Research Area for Systems Biology  
http://www.erasysbio.net/ 

- ERA-NET for the Baltic Sea science - network of funding agencies 
Era-Net (BONUS) http://www/bonusportal.org/ 
- ERA-NET fisheries research (MARIFISH) http://www.marifish.net/ 
ERA-Net SSA Control objectives and shellfish target assurance levels 

- TP Innovative and Sustainable Use of Forest Resources  

- CWG "Shared infrastructures for European agro-food research” 

- ERA-NET CA Agricultural Research for Development (ERA ARD) 
www.era-ard.org 
- ERA-NET CA on National and Regional Programmes to Promote 
Innovation Networking and Co-operation between SMEs and Research 
Organisations (EraSME) http://www.era-sme.net/public/ 
- ERA-NET CA shared knowledge base for sustainable innovation 
policies 
- ERA-NET CA National and Regional Programmes and Incentives 
dedicated to the creation and support of Competence Research Centres - 
- COMP ERA-NET http://www.comp-era.net/default.aspx 
- ERA-NET CA SME’s collective research CORNET  
http://www.cornet-era.net/ 

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Issues 
(main 
in society)  

issues 

Themes 
(balanced 
within issues) 
foresights 

portfolio 

Programmes  
(addressing problems and chances) 

On-going coordination activities (ERA-Nets25, Technology 
Platforms26) and collaborative working groups CWG 

- ERA-NET CA Transnational Foresight  
http://www.eranet-forsociety.net/ForSociety/ 

research knowledge base  
better 
knowledge circulation 
support for innovation 

knowledge 

use/ 

miscellaneous 

European young investigators awards 
European policy co-operation of women in science 
European science education network 2003 
INternational  COoperation  on  Science  and  Technology 
NETwork 

- ERA-NET CA Shared knowledge base for sustainable innovation 
policies VISION http://www.visioneranet.org/ 
- European Policy Co-operation of Women and Sciences (EOWIN) 
- Coordination of research between Europe and China 
www.co-reach.org 
- CWG Relevant Issues for Mediterranean agriculture (IT) 
- ERANET "ARIMNet" in negotiation 

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Annex 2 – SCAR Collaborative Working Groups 

ICT and Robotics in Agriculture and related Industries 

The  aim  of  the  CWG  is  to  shape  and  focus  the  research  and  development  on  ICT  and  robotics  for  agricultural-
related  industries  and  provide  a  basis  for  MS  collaboration.  It  brings  together  existing  networks  and  the 
technological companies, achieve critical mass, and provide optimal conditions for the European work in ICT and 
robots  for  agriculture  and  related  industries.  The  CWG  worked  out  a  matrix  outlining  the  R&D  topics  on  the 
relevant field within the next decade, with the aim to identify missing technology links in the chain from farm to 
fork. A mapping report is also being updated. A questionnaire will be drawn up to explore the future work of the 
group regarding the interest in joint proposals, a closer and formal collaboration and/or an ERA-net proposal. The 
CWG is coordinated by Denmark and involves 11 countries. 

Renewable Raw Materials and their Application in Non-food Industries 

The  objective  of  the  CWG  is  to  set  up  a  co-ordination  strategy  for  systematic  information  exchange  on  national 
R&D  programmes  in  the  field  of  renewable  resources.  To  achieve  this  goal  an  ERA-Net  is  envisaged  although 
several participating countries do not have an appropriate ongoing R&D programme in this field. In order to avoid 
overlapping and promote synergies with already existing initiatives (e.g. ERA-Net ERA-IB), the proposal may focus 
on the field of biobased and biodegradable materials or biogenous lubricants. The collaboration with the Agency for 
Renewable Resources (FNR) will also be ensured. The CWG is coordinated by Germany and involves 18 countries. 

Animal Health (& Welfare)  

The  purpose  of  the  CWG  is  to  provide  a  forum  leading  to  improved  collaboration  on  research  prioritisation  and 
procurement,  creating  the  necessary  critical  mass  and  focus  to  deliver  the  animal  health  research  needs  of  policy 
makers  and  the  European  livestock  industry.  To  achieve  this  goal,  the  CWG  identified  five  Pilot  Theme  Areas 
(Epidemiology  and  Risk,  Immunological  Control,  Alternative  control,  Animal  Welfare  and  Therapeutics)  and 
established the process for the capture of information on ongoing research activities in these fields, mainly through a 
searchable database system.  The group also explores  the possibilities of developing collaborative activities on the 
detection/prediction  of  emerging  disease  threats  and  of  mapping  research  infrastructure  of  pan-European  interest. 
The CWG is coordinated by UK and involves 21 countries. 

Relevant Issues for Mediterranean Agriculture 

The aim of the CWG is to enhance scientific cooperation between EU MS and other countries of the Mediterranean 
area thus addressing common agricultural problems, e.g. the use and management of natural resources, such as soil 
and  water,  crop  protection  and  threats  to  the  security  and  sustainability  of  agricultural  production  resulting  from 
climate  change.  The  CWG  intend  to  submit  an  ERA-NET  project  within  the  first  FP7  call.  The  CWG  is  jointly 
coordinated by Italy and France and involves 11 countries. 

Agriculture and Sustainable Development  

The  establishment  of  the  CWG  builds  upon  the  « Agriculture  et  Développement  Durable »  programme  (ADD) 
which  aim  to  support  over  2005-2009  interdisciplinary  and  innovative  work  in  the  field  of  agriculture  and 
sustainable development. The CWG started its work by exchanging information on national research activities and 
programmes and exploring the possibilities for further cooperation, with a view to the submission of an ERA-Net 
project.  To  achieve  this  goal,  the  participants  started  to  map  national  research  programmes,  systems  and 
infrastructures,  and  reflected  on  the  scope  and  the  structure  of  a  possible  ERA-net  proposal.  The  CWG  is 
coordinated by France and involves 11 countries. 

Sustainable livestock production from grassland  

The aim of the CWG is to make an inventory of current grassland research capacity and infrastructure, identify gaps 
and priorities for collaboration in that field. Each of the participating countries have provided information relating to 
the  relevant  research  programmes  ongoing  in  their  countries,  the  resources  involved  and  the  priorities  for  future 
research.  This  information  will  be  collated  and  presented  as  a  report  to  SCAR  early  in  2007.  The  CWG  is 
coordinated by Ireland and involves 12 countries. 

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Ecology for Ecosystems and Natural Resources Sustainable Management 

The  establishment  of  the  CWG  builds  upon  the  ECOGER  programme  led  by  INRA  which  aim  to  produce  over 
2005-2008 new scientific knowledge of ecological processes, in order to develop innovative tools to meet the needs 
of policy makers, managers and users of rural and peri-urban spaces. The activities launched by the CWG concern 
information exchange and mapping on national programmes, funds and scientific teams from participating countries, 
and  identification  of  scientific  topics  which  could  lead  to  an  ERA-Net  proposal  or  a  COST  action.  The  CWG  is 
coordinated by France and involves 8 countries 

Adaptation of Human Nutrition to Environment Evolution 

The establishment of the CWG builds upon a programme led by INRA, which focuses on two main areas of Human 
Nutrition: (i) nutritional adaptation to the evolution of eating patterns, life styles and environment and (ii) nutrition 
and  health,  including  wellbeing  and  disease  prevention.  The  CWG  started  its  work  on  a  bottom-up  co-operation 
mode  by  exchanging  programme  relevant  political  and  scientific  keywords  in  order  to  facilitate  the  analysis  of 
common interests of the partners. At later stage - after the definition of joint items - a trans-national programme co-
ordination e.g. by means of an ERA-NET is envisaged. Particular attention will be given to a strategy which avoids 
overlaps  with  other  networking  and  coordination  initiatives.  The  CWG  is  coordinated  by  France  and  involves  10 
countries. 

Advanced Technologies for Climate Control of Greenhouses and Livestock Housing 

The objective the CWG is to create a multidisciplinary platform for knowledge transfer and cooperative research on 
climate control of greenhouses, and housing of livestock and aquaculture for high and sustainable production, under 
both  hot  and  cold  climatic  conditions,  with  emphasis  on  advanced  technologies.  The  activities  of  the  CWG  are 
mainly based on the screening and identification of R&D gaps, ongoing national research programmes and relevant 
infrastructures and capabilities. These activities are expected to lead to an ERA-Net proposal or a COST action. The 
CWG is coordinated by Israel and involves 14 countries. 

Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region 

The objective the CWG is to specify factors determining the development of sustainable agriculture in Baltic Sea 
Region,  through  the  use  of  innovative  technologies.  At  the  kick-off  meeting  the  participants  presented  the  work 
being  done  in  the  different  countries  in  the  region  and  discussed  ideas  and  visions  with  stakeholders  in  order  to 
develop  coordinated  strategies  towards  a  more  sustainable  agriculture  in  the  region.  The  CWG  is  coordinated  by 
Poland and involves 8 countries. 

Common/coordinated research agenda for EU rural policy 

This CWG is the result of a merge of two similar proposals suggested to SCAR in 2005 and consolidated as one 
proposal at the SCAR June 2006 meeting. The CWG aims to identify relevant long-term research questions related 
to  rural  policy  as  well  as  an  overview  of  the  current  activities  and  state  of  the  art  knowledge.  At  the  kick-off 
meeting, a number of core topics were identified. A document based on these discussions and other input will be 
produced  to  be  ready  for  early  spring  and  as  input  for  a  second  consultation  meeting  scheduled  early  2007. 
Discussions with CWG on “Agriculture and Sustainable Development” has been started to identify differences and 
potential common grounds. These discussions will be continued during spring 2007. 

Climate Change and Agriculture  

The objective of this CWG is to bring together research funding organisations in the Member and Associated States, 
in  order  to  coordinate  research  activities  among  the  European  countries  at  the  climate  change  and  agriculture 
interface. This will consider how climate change affects agriculture, and how agriculture could be adapted to climate 
change (including mitigation of agricultural impacts on climate change).  

Agriculture-Energy-Interface 

The  objective  of  this  CWG  is  to  elaborate  the  co-ordination  needs  for  research  funding  at  the  interface  between 
agriculture  and  energy  in  the  broadest  sense  (“holistic  approach”)  covering  not  only  the  scientific-technological 

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challenges  for  biomass  and  bioenergy  production,  but  also  the  industrial,  ecological,  socio-economic  and  rural 
dimension of the subject. 

Shared infrastructures for European agro-food research  

This CWG aims to identify the future needs of agricultural research and design new models of governance in order 
to share infrastructures efficiently at a European scale. 

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Annex 3 – Agri-food research systems in European countries: overview 

The  following  section  has  been  compiled  from  the  country  reports  and  summaries  made  by  the  EU  AGRI 
MAPPING project. 

AUSTRIA 

Agri-food research is undertaken by around 17 main research players including federal offices, research institutions 
as  well  as  2  universities.  The  capacity  can  be  considered  fragmented  and  no  major  changes  are  expected  in  the 
future.  Public  agri-food  research  is  coordinated  by  fairly  concentrated  funding  and  programming.  Regarding 
research topics, an emphasis is given to sustainable development and environmental issues. 

BELGIUM 

Agri-food  research  is  mainly  implemented  by  2  public  research  organisations  and  a  network  of  universities.  A 
characteristic  of  Belgium  research  system  is  its  high  level  of  fragmentation  with  a  limited  coordination  at  federal 
level. There is a trend for the merging of universities at regional level and for a reinforcement of the link between 
research and industry through the creation of competitiveness clusters. The thematic orientations are consistent with 
those  of  neighbour  countries,  with  an  emphasis  towards  systemic  approaches,  environmental  issues  and  the 
development of knowledge-based bioeconomy. 

BULGARIA 

Most  of  the  research  organisations  involved  in  agri-food  research  is  public  research  institutes.  The  capacity  is 
scattered in 14 national agencies, 28 institutes and 6 universities. Agri-food research seems poorly coordinated and 
there  is  no  official  long-term  strategy.  Research  topics  relate  mostly  to  agricultural  production  and  rural 
development  issues  with  a  special  emphasis  on  plant  and  animal  science  and  biotechnology.  Consumer-oriented 
research, climate change and energy are not indicated in the recent research trends. 

CROATIA 

There are 13 main organisations involved in agri-food research with 8 main governmental research institutes and 5 
universities.  Considering  the  size  of  the  country,  the  capacity  can  be  considered  fragmented.  Public  agri-food 
research is coordinated by fairly concentrated funding and programming. A particularity of Croatian research is the 
importance given to fish products. Research on alternative use of agricultural production seems poorly covered. 

CZECH REPUBLIC 

The research capacity is scattered in 22 research institutes and 9 universities. There is no plan for restructuring the 
research  capacity.  There  are  2.400  researchers  involved  in  the  agri-food  sector.  Research  seems  rather  well 
coordinated  with  the  adoption  of  a  national  research  programme  since  2003  and  the  increase  share  of  projects 
funded  on  a  competitive  basis.  Regarding  research  topics,  a  particularity  is  the  importance  of  plant  &  animal 
science,  environment,  food  safety  and  forestry.  Biodiversity,  alternative  use  of  agricultural  production  and  rural 
development issues are in focus. 

CYPRUS 

Cyprus is a small country with the Agricultural Research Institute being the main actor. On-going changes in this 
institute  as  well  as  the  opening  of  a  technical  university  in  September  2007  may  change  the  landscape.  The  total 
number  of  researchers  is  below  100.  Given  the  limited  capacity  of  Cyprus,  some  major  research  themes  (for 
example  animal  science)  are  not  covered.  Emphasis  is  given  to  the  protection  of  the  environment  and  rural 
development issues, technologies for the productions and the management of water.  

DENMARK 

The organisation of research is in a transition phase with the integration of research institutes into universities (from 
January 2007) and the merging of universities. There currently 3 main universities involved in agri-food research. 
Regarding research topics, a particularity is the focus on the integration of new technologies (ICT, nanotechnology) 
into agri-food research and the emphasis to consumer-oriented approach. Agri-Food research has also shifted focus 
from productivity and primary production to a more holistic approach including environment and product quality.  

ESTONIA 

Agri-food research is implemented by 9 main organisations including 3 universities, 4 public research organisations 
and 3 private research institutes. The total number of researchers involved in agri-food research is estimated around 
250.  The  capacity  and  the  coordination of  research  are  fairly  concentrated,  main  actors being  the universities  and 

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Estonian  Research  Institute  for  Agriculture.  There  is  a  national  programme  for  applied  agricultural  research. 
Research topics addressed by Estonian researchers relates mostly to issues related to agricultural production (food 
safety,  animal  and  plant  science)  and  rural  development.  Recent  challenges  (biodiversity,  alternative  use  of 
agricultural production) are identified as important topics for future research. 

FINLAND 

The Finnish agri-food research landscape is characterised by the importance of the forest sector. There are around 16 
organisations involved in agri-food research gathering both universities and research institutes. During past years, 
there has been a concentration of the capacity with the integration of institutes into MTT Agrifood research Finland. 
The capacity is considered fairly concentrated. Finnish agri-food research is much internationalised and the focus on 
the bio-economy appeared in 2005. Adaptation to and mitigation of global warming is also among the top priorities 
of Finnish research programmes.  

FRANCE 

The  capacity  is  concentrated  with  more  than  11.000  employees  in  4  public  research  institutes  supervised  by  the 
ministries of agriculture and of research. In total, there are around 10 majors players. Besides the small number of 
organisations, the important number of units and centres indicates a scattering of the capacity. A particularity is the 
low importance of universities (high education for agri-food is delivered by colleges). Links between education and 
research  are  being  strengthened  with  the  creation  of  clusters.  Regarding  research  topics,  there  has  been  a  shift  of 
focus  from  productivity  and  primary  production  towards  quality,  environment,  biogenomics  and  a  more  systemic 
view of the agri-food sector. 

GERMANY 

Public agri-food research is organised in 3 levels: at federal level (8 research centres), at federal & state level (11 
organisations  &  foundations)  and  at  state  level  (14  faculties  and  31  research  institutes).  Reorganisation  of  the 
capacity is with the gathering of research institutes at federal level took place in 2008 and the creation of clusters at 
state level. There is an apparent need for coordinated capacity management. The focus of research includes a wide 
range  of  topics  including  quality  issues,  environmental  issues,  sustainable  development,  agri-non-food  chains, 
climate changes etc.  

GREECE 

Agri-food  research  is  carried  out  by  an  important  number  of  organisations  including  6  universities,  7  educational 
institutes  and  about  a  dozen  of  research  institutes.  The  capacity  is  fragmented  and  there  are  plans  to  reduce  the 
number  of  units.  Restructuring  the  current  research  system  is  considered  an  urgent  priority.  Regarding  research 
topics,  there  has  been  a  shift  from  productivity  and  primary  production  towards  new  challenges  (sustainability, 
biodiversity, bioernergy etc.). 

HUNGARY 

The Hungarian agri-food research landscape comprises 6 research institutions belonging to the Hungarian Academy 
of  Science,  11  Universities,  11  institutes  or  companies  belonging  to  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Rural 
Development, and several other research institutions and private companies. The capacity is fragmented and there 
are  plans  to  merge  and  privatise  research  institutes.  Research  topics  focus  mainly  on  production  issues  (animal 
science, agricultural and food technology) but more recent topics such as alternative use of agricultural production 
or biodiversity are also in focus. 

ICELAND 

Agri-food research is implemented by 2 universities, one college, one research institute and one research company. 
Given  the  small  size  of  the  country,  the  capacity  is  fairly  concentrated.  The  education  and  research  system  is 
currently  experiencing  important  changes  with  the  strengthening  of  competitive  funding,  involvement  of  industry 
and  cooperation  with  universities.  Regarding  research  themes,  quality,  productivity,  environmental  sustainability 
and biodiversity are in focus. 

IRELAND 

The  most  important  research  player  in  Ireland  is  Teagasc,  the  Irish  national  agriculture  and  food  development 
authority. Research is also carried out in universities (7) and institutes of technology. Public agri-food research is 
shattered  over  an  important  number  of  rather  independent  and  uncoordinated  performers.  A  major  focus  of  the 
thematic area is molecular biology and nanotechnology as the country embarked into a development of a “bio-based 
economy”. 

ISRAEL 

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The agri-food research capacity is fairly concentrated with one major research player and 5 faculties and institutes. 
Concerning  research  topics,  there  is  an  emphasis  on  biotechnology  and  on  issues  related  to  the  use  of  natural 
resources and to environmental aspects of agriculture. A particularity is the importance of research related to water 
and irrigation issues (management, utilisation, pollution and quality). 

ITALY 

The Italian agri-food research system is very fragmented with the involvement of 6 Ministries, 1 funding agency, 6 
national research organisations (gathering more than 30 research institutes), 23 universities involved in agronomy 
and  veterinary  science  and  another  20  research  institutes  not  specialised  in  agri-food.  Research  trends  indicate  a 
focus on biotechnology and traditional research – recent challenges such as climate change, energy or biodiversity 
were not indicated as current trends but as needs to be addressed in the future. 

LATVIA 

Latvian  agri-food  research  system  is  rather  concentrated  with  the  major  research  actors  being  the  University  of 
Agriculture of Latvia and the research institutes of the Ministry of Agriculture. The focus of research is mainly on 
the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, rural development, and the management of natural resources (including 
forestry). Biodiversity, climate change and non-food utilisation of agricultural products are not mentioned. 

LITHUANIA 

Agri-food research in Lithuania is fairly concentrated with 3 universities, 2 public science institutes, 3 university–
level institutes and 1 public scientific establishment. The total number of researchers is estimated at 1780. Agri-food 
research  seems  rather  well  coordinated  with  the  implementation  of  long  term  research  strategy  since  2003.  Agri-
food is among the first research priorities of Lithuania as reflected by its rank in the GBAORD (3rd position) and its 
share of the total budget (18%). The themes covered by the Lithuanian researcher community encompass traditional 
agricultural research, genomics and biotechnology, climate change. The emphasis on energy (biofuel, biomass) can 
be underlined. 

LUXEMBOURG 

The  agri-food  research  capacity  is  fairly  concentrated  with  three  major  research  players.  Research  seem  well 
coordinated,  there  is  a  National  Research  Fund  with  multiannual  programmes.  Research  trends  include  recent 
challenges such as climate change, energy or biodiversity. 

MALTA 

With 5 main research players, the Maltese agri-food research system can be considered rather fragmented. Despite 
the small size of the country, the coordination of research programme seems poor as there is no long term strategy 
for agri-food research. Research trends indicate that the focus is mostly on traditional agri-food research. Energy, 
climate change or biotechnology is not mentioned. 

THE NETHERLANDS 

The Dutch agri-food research system is characterised by its high concentration: over the last decade, nearly all of 
public agricultural research, academic and professional education and knowledge transfer has been concentrated in 
one single organisational frame: Wageningen University and Research Centre. Besides, the university, there are 4 
other  major  players  in  agri-food  research.  The  number  of  researchers  is  estimated  around  1.000.  Research  trends 
indicate a large coverage of issues including recent challenges such as climate change, energy or biodiversity. 

NORWAY 

With  15  organisations  involved  in  agri-food  research,  the  landscape  can  be  considered  rather  fragmented.  A 
characteristic  is  the  importance  of  aquaculture  (7  organisations)  and  forestry  (4  players).  There  are  around  1900 
researchers.  Despite  the  important  number  of  organisations  for  the  size  of  the  country,  agri-food  research  can  be 
considered well coordinated (the Research Council of Norway was founded in 1993). Agri-food research has shifted 
its  main  focus  from  productivity  and  primary  production  to  a  more  holistic  approach  including  environment  and 
product quality, and emphasis has moved to the consumer-oriented, final stages of the food chain.  

POLAND 

There is an important number of organisations involved in agri-food research with 9 universities, 7 centres under the 
Ministry of Agriculture, 2 under the Academy of Science and others independent research entities. Research trends 
indicate  a  wide  coverage  of  issues  related  to  agricultural  production,  environment,  rural  development  or  energy. 
Poland  is  also  characterised  by  the  important  place  of  food  technology  research.  Consumer-oriented  research, 
climate change and agro-food biotechnology research are not indicated in the trends. 

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PORTUGAL 

Agri-food  research  is  rather  fragmented  but  the  sector  is  under-going  important  changes  with  a  trend  for  a 
concentration  of  the  research  capacity.  In  2006/07,  the  research  landscape  comprises  around  six  research 
organisations,  eight  universities  and  seven  colleges.  An  interesting  initiative  is  the  systematic  assessment  of  the 
Portuguese research system by panels of international experts. Concerning research topics, it seems that there is a 
relative decrease of classical agricultural research and a trend for more research on technology oriented topic. 

ROMANIA 

The  agri-food  research  landscape  is  composed  of  4  universities  (dedicated  to  agri-food  reserach),  14  research 
institutes and 4 research centre and other units belonging to the Academy of Agricultural Science and Forestry, 3 
institutes  under  the  Romanian  Academy  and  1  institute  under  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  a  number  private 
research  organisations.  The  private  university  "Bioterra"  became  a  strong  player  in  the  agri-food  sector  attracting 
more agro-food students than state universities. Plans to better coordinate the agri-food research system are under 
discussions. Concerning research topics, the focus is mainly on traditional agricultural, biotechnology, biodiversity 
and rural development. Consumer-oriented research, non-food use of agricultural product and climate change are not 
in the focus. 

SLOVAKIA 

The agri-food research capacity is scattered in 8 universities and 11 research organisations employing around 1.500 
researchers.  Research  is  coordinated  by  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  there  is  a  national  research  programme. 
Current research focus mainly on issues related to the agricultural production with an emphasis on the improvement 
of the competitiveness, the protection of natural resources and the utilisation of Slovakian natural resources.  

SLOVENIA 

The  agri-food  research  system  is  coordinated  by  4  Ministries.  There  are  4  universities,  12  governmental 
organisations and 2 non profit organisations involved in agri-food research. The total number of researchers is 258. 
Research  seems  rather  well  coordinated  with  the  funding  of  projects  on  competitive  basis  through  a  national 
research  programme  covering  a  5-year  period.  Current  trends  indicate  that  the  major  focus  is  on  traditional 
agricultural research including biotechnology.  

SPAIN 

The Spanish agri-food research capacity is still fragmented with 4 main research organisations, 5 main universities 
and  a  network  of  regional  agricultural  research  centres.  A  particularity  is  the  organisation  at  both  national  (4 
ministries  involved  in  agri-food  research)  and  regional  levels.  The  funding  of  agri-food  research  is  increasing. 
Spanish agri-food research used to be mostly applied but recent challenges are now among the priorities.  

SWEDEN 

There are four major research players in agri-food research including one leading university and 3 other institutes 
specialised on forest research. The other universities (13) also conduct forest research. Research is funded by public 
support as well as by private foundations. Most of public funding is open to competition administered by different 
bodies  (9  in  total).  The  agri-food  research  concentrates  much  on  safe  and  sound  food  products  and  production. 
Effects on the environment from food production are also in focus.  

SWITZERLAND 

The  agri-food  research  landscape  comprises  3  federal  research  units,  7  universities  and  several  other  independent 
research  units.  A  characteristic  is  the  importance  of  research  financed  and  undertaken  by  the  private  sector.  The 
Swiss  agri-food  research  system  experienced  important  change  in  the  last  decade  with  a  concentration  of  the 
research units. Regarding research topics, the focus is on organic farming and integrated production, biotechnology, 
climate change and energy, natural resource protection and animal welfare, food quality and safety.  

TURKEY 

The  agri-food  research  landscape  of  Turkey  is  fragmented  with  more  than  30  universities,  65  public  research 
institutes  and  10  non-profit  research  organisations.  The  research  focus  is  mainly  directed  towards  traditional 
agricultural and food research (food technology, plant breeding and biotechnology, crop production and protection, 
animal health and husbandry etc.). 

THE UNITED KINGDOM 

The  number  of  agri-food  research  players  is  very  high  in  the  UK  including  a  large  network  of  universities  and 
around  20  important  research  entities.  Funding  is  managed  by  several  council  and  authorities.  Public  agri-food 

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research is sponsored along two lines: the policy oriented and dedicated research by the Ministry of Agriculture on 
one hand and the science and technology oriented research by the research councils on the other hand. The focus of 
research include a wide range of topics including biochemistry, biomolecular science, climate change and energy, 
natural resource protection, sustainable consumption and production. 

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