All Hands on Biotech: Rethinking Agri-Food Sustainable Competitiveness

Event Description

The European Commission identifies biotechnology as one of the most promising technologies of this century, part of the solutions for addressing the green transition and many of the current and future social challenges, while strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy. 

In the agri-food sector, over the past decades, biotechnology advancements have led to the development of solutions for growing crops, controlling pests, making food manufacturing more efficient and less energy intensive (enzymes), increasing protein diversification, improving product taste and texture, or health through essential nutrients and sugar/salt/fat replacements. Advances in biotechnology have helped enhance both the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector. 

In light of the upcoming proposal on a EU Biotech Act, this event aims to shed light on the present and future of biotechnology in the agri-food sector, discussing challenges, opportunities and concerns with a pragmatic, solution-oriented logic, and by going back to the origin of biotechnology.

While a proposal on the use of new genomic techniques in plants is already on the table of the European Parliament – thus contributing to raise awareness about biotech applications in crop breeding – the role and impact of biotech applications in other parts of the agrifood value chain has received less attention so far. In particular, many biotech solutions stem from the use of micro-organisms, as well as precision and biomass fermentation technology. 

To fully unlock these innovations in Europe, enabling conditions will be crucial — from a clear and predictable regulatory pathway (Novel Foods/EFSA, guidance, timelines, sandboxes, fit-for-purpose state-aid), to dedicated support instruments (IPCEI-like tools), and accessible pilot and demonstration infrastructure to help scale first-of-a-kind solutions.  

The European Food Forum is glad to invite you to a multi-stakeholder dialogue to contribute to the current EU policy agenda, with a view to strengthen and accelerate the sustainable development path of agrifood sector, where biotechnology can play a more prominent role. This first EFF event will spotlight microbiological applications in the agri-food sector, with upcoming events planned to cover plant and animal biotechnology, ensuring a full exploration of the sector’s potential. 

Agenda

Moderator: Maria Teresa Buco, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Novo Nordisk Foundation 

15h00 - 15h10 Welcome remarks by MEP Morten Løkkegaard 

15h10 - 15h20 Setting the scene: The origins, present and future of biotech in agri and food 

• Professor Piet VAN DER MEER, Ghent University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium 

15h20 - 15h40 Panel 1: From farmers to consumers, how biotechnology can address food system challenges 

• Tijn VAN VUGT, Head of Commercial, MicroHarvest  

• Anne KLOK, Director R&D Enzymes, dsm-firmenich 

Q&A 

15h50 - 16h50  Panel 2: Biotech Act: Which policy enablers does Europe need to reap the full potential of agri-food biotech? 

• Giulia DEL BRENNA, Head of Unit, Textiles, Food and Retail (GROW.F.3), European Commission 

• Els BRUGGEMAN, Head of Policy and Enforcement, Euroconsumers 

• Professor Richard HARRISON, Managing Director of Plant Sciences Group, Wageningen University & Research 

• Søren Boserup LAURITSEN, Business Attaché, Permanent Representation of Denmark to the EU 

• Claire SKENTELBERY, Director General, EuropaBio 

• Sergio STROZZI, Counselor, Head of Innovation, Technology and Startups, DGSP, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 

  Q&A 

16h50 - 17h00 Closing remarks by MEP Morten Løkkegaard 

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