Food ETP unveils Strategic Research Agenda
Building consumer trust, food safety and quality, developing new products and promoting sustainable production are some of the targets for research set out by stakeholders from the EU food and drinks industry, united in the Food for Life European Technology Platform. The targets were unveiled at a stakeholder meeting in Brussels to officially launch the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA). Ultimately, the goal of the research will be to boost the competitiveness of the EU agro-food sector. Studies will aim to promote the development of novel and improved food products, and examine the links between diet and brain activity, immune and intestinal functions and metabolic function, according to a statement from the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA). 'It will also seek to identify ways of building consumer trust in the food chain through up-front design and by the identification and promotion of best practices in sustainable food production,' the industry association added. The ETP 'Food for Life' was launched in 2005. The research agenda is being developed in three phases, each resulting in a report that will contribute to an eventual roadmap and help galvanise available resources at both national and EU level, and from private and venture capital. 'This roadmap will ensure effective cooperation under the umbrella of a coherent agenda for European research,' the CIAA stated. The first report, the ETP 'Food for Life' Vision for 2020 and beyond, was published in 2005 and provides an overarching strategy for the future of the food chain. The current report, the ETP Strategic Research Agenda, published earlier this year, outlines priority themes for research. 'The level of enthusiasm and interest from all stakeholders of the ETP 'Food for Life' has continued to increase, and this is reflected in the outstanding attendance at this year's conference,' Peter van Bladeren, a Nestlé executive and chairman of the ETP board, stated at the meeting. A third report, containing the final implementation plan, is due to be published early in 2008. It will outline the actions needed to achieve the ETP's vision and strategy.