Key Takeaways
- A new report by Plants for the Future reveals the reduction in R&I allocation affects fundamental research and training for future plant breeding experts.
- Despite a 42% increase in the total Horizon Europe budget compared to Framework Programme 7 (FP7), funding for plant breeding research and innovation (R&I) has decreased.
- Private sector involvement in plant breeding R&I has grown, yet remains below average compared to other EU-funded fields.
- Regulatory restrictions have limited the use of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), which are not fully replacing classical genetic modification.
- Advocates call for dedicated mechanisms to support plant breeding R&I, including clearer regulatory guidelines for NGTs to boost EU competitiveness.
Declining Public Investment in Plant Breeding Raises Concerns
Plants for the Future, a European public-private research initiative, published a report revealing concerning trends in public investment for plant breeding R&I from FP7 to Horizon Europe. Despite an overall 42% budget increase in the EU’s Horizon Europe framework, funding for plant breeding-related projects has been declining. The report analyzed 235 plant breeding projects funded since 2007, with most support concentrated in Agrifood, the European Research Council (ERC), and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) subprogrammes.
This decline, particularly evident in fundamental research and training, has raised questions about the long-term sustainability of the R&I cycle in plant breeding. “Plant breeding is the heart of our agrifood systems and contributes to addressing challenges across the value chain and at the consumer level,” stated Amrit Nanda, Executive Manager of Plants for the Future.
“To further leverage its full potential, there is an urgent need to develop a dedicated mechanism to support R&I in plant breeding in a strategic and coordinated way across the entire EU.”
Complexity Increases, but Budget Per Project Lags
The report highlighted that although plant breeding projects funded under Agrifood have grown in complexity—requiring larger, multidisciplinary teams—the per-project budgets have not kept pace. Furthermore, while private sector involvement in R&I has increased across EU framework programmes, investment in plant breeding still trails the average for other sectors funded under Horizon 2020.
Regulatory Barriers Impede Innovation
A pressing issue in Horizon Europe, compared to Horizon 2020, is the decline in the use of plant breeding innovations such as classical genetic modification (GM) and New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). As classical GM phases out, restrictive language in research calls and uncertain regulatory frameworks for NGTs have impeded their uptake. Advocates, including Plants for the Future, argue that to remain competitive globally, the EU must adopt clear regulations for NGT plants and allow flexibility in research calls regarding the technologies used.
Calls for Strategic Support to Boost EU Competitiveness
The report emphasizes the need for an EU-wide, dedicated mechanism to support plant breeding R&I. The Strategic Dialogue for the Future of Agriculture and several recent reports have underscored the need for a supportive environment to ensure EU-led research benefits the region. “This mechanism should ensure the implementation of research outcomes by promoting partnerships and collaborations between the public and private sectors,” added Nanda.
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