Key Takeaways
- Joint Call for Increased FP10 Budget: Euroseeds and over 100 European associations call for a significant increase in the FP10 budget.
- Focus on Pan-European Collaborative Research: Emphasis on making collaborative research central to FP10 to meet industrial needs with excellence.
- Importance of Public RD&I Investments: Highlighting the role of public investments in stimulating private RD&I and addressing market failures.
- Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships: Advocating for enhanced cooperation between public and private actors in plant breeding and other sectors.
- Driving Innovation and Competitiveness: Ensuring FP10 fosters collaboration, technology maturation, and innovation to strengthen EU competitiveness.
The Essential Role of Research in Plant Breeding
Research and innovation are crucial in the plant breeding and seed sector to develop improved plant varieties that address the ever-evolving needs of farmers and other agri-food chain actors, including consumer preferences and policy objectives.
Euroseeds, the voice of the European seed sector, represents the interests of over 70 direct company members and others active in the research, breeding, production, and marketing of seeds for agricultural, horticultural, and ornamental plant species.
Joint Statement for an Ambitious FP10
In shaping the next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), Euroseeds, along with 109 European associations representing key European RD&I stakeholders, urges EU Institutions to increase the current budget for FP10 significantly. They advocate making pan-European collaborative research the cornerstone of FP10 to meet industrial needs with excellence.
Public RD&I investments enabled through the EU Framework Programme are essential to address market failures and stimulate private RD&I investments by lowering the risks such investments represent for the industry. These investments are crucial for attracting and retaining private RD&I investments in Europe, which is necessary for maintaining and enhancing the EU’s competitiveness in the global technology race.
Importance of Collaborative RD&I
FP10 must focus on excellent cross-border collaborative RD&I with strong industrial participation to further support EU competitiveness. This includes reinforcing Pillar II, which is the only genuinely collaborative part of the FP, and promoting knowledge flow between and within the private and public sectors, as well as between basic and applied research.
Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in Plant Breeding
Plant breeding is pivotal in supporting the economic sustainability of Europe’s farming communities and the broader agri-food value chain. Strengthening cooperation between public and private actors involved in plant RD&I activities is essential for transitioning from basic scientific research to marketable products.
Driving Innovation and EU Competitiveness
The next EU Framework Programme must foster collaboration, drive technology maturation and innovation, and leverage the expertise of RD&I public and private actors to strengthen competitiveness and assert leadership in key technological domains. By doing so, Europe can better position itself in the global innovation race and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future.
