French Presidency event outlines agricultural research priorities in ERA
A round table on agricultural research in the European Research Area (ERA) on 5 and 6 December produced suggestions but also uncertainty concerning the implementation of the ERA. Although farming systems are delimited by agro-ecological zones rather than national borders, agricultural research is currently controlled almost entirely at the national level. The ERA, the foundations of which have already been laid through the CAP's (Common Agricultural Policy) encouragement of international cooperation, will facilitate a more efficient and coherent common approach to agricultural research. Progress is expected to be rapid and it has been suggested that agriculture will lead the way in the implementation of the ERA. Two days of intense debate in Versailles between research scientists, policy makers and farming community representatives from the EU Member States and applicant states highlighted the areas where action is needed if the ERA is to be successfully implemented. Seven themes provided the focus of the debates: science and governance, the opening of national research programmes, the role of the European regions, centres of excellence, infrastructures, the integration of adhesion countries and the mobility of researchers. Participants at the conference split into seven subgroups, each of which discussed one of the seven themes before presenting their findings to the congress on the second day. The relationship between policy makers and researchers should be a two way relationship, participants emphasised. Policy makers need reliable advice if they are to make the right decisions, but should also provide an input into the research process, identifying issues of importance that research should address. Communication was outlined as an important area of action. This is vital if public opinion is to become less hostile to science and if farmers are to profit from scientific progress. A change in the character of agricultural research was also urged: 'We need to change the nature of research carried out, increasing multidisciplinarity, to improve our understanding of the biosphere. Classical agricultural research is still necessary, but research in the broader context of life sciences is better adapted to current issues. Foresight and risk assessment, particularly for genetically modified organisms, are of key importance,' states the draft summary of conclusions. Although participants agreed that a multifunctional approach to agriculture is necessary in order to promote balance between the diverse rural activities, they were undecided as to whether legislation would be required in order to implement this, and whether legislation should be at a national or European level. All were however agreed that more dialogue involving the European Commission is necessary in order to optimise interaction between science and governance. The conference concluded that national research programmes must be opened up if the full benefits of the ERA are to be felt. Currently, only five per cent of all public spending on agricultural research in Europe is coordinated at international level, with the remaining 95 per cent devoted to national programmes controlled by individual Member States. The ERA will facilitate economies of scale, thus improving resource allocation and increasing the efficiency of European research. Despite emphasising the importance of opening up national research programmes, uncertainty once again prevailed with regard to how this should be done. Suggestions voiced included making national research budgets available to scientists in other Member States or new modes of collaboration or both together. Participants decided that research into subjects of international relevance should be coordinated at EU level, whilst research topics of purely local interest should be managed at national level, with the European regions becoming more involved. It was suggested that regional networks of excellence dealing with topics of regional relevance could be set up. The traditional idea of a centre of excellence as a building with a permanent research staff and funding arrangements was however largely rejected as 'too inflexible and poorly adapted to the modern research context.' Concern was also expressed that any form of EC accreditation would lead to feelings of exclusion in those centres not selected. An innovative concept of virtual networks of competence was proposed. These networks would make extensive use of communication technologies and the mobility of researchers in order to reinforce collaboration and to transfer information and technology. Participants recognised the benefits of an ERA for agricultural infrastructure: 'European coordination would avoid duplication in expenditure on infrastructure and would optimise the use of existing facilities,' states the draft summary of conclusions. 'We must also create new types of infrastructure, such as databases, information technology facilities and environmental observatories, accessible to all European scientists,' the conclusions continue. Those present agreed that coordination should involve the mobilisation of both human and physical resources. The session on the mobility of researchers concluded that 'we need to encourage researchers to move between countries, transferring information and technology and increasing collaboration between centres in different countries.' The group recognised however, that 'the human element is the key: Researchers' hopes, needs, motivations and desires must be taken into account if they are to become more mobile. More funding, more innovation in nature, is needed.' It was however recognised that increasing researcher mobility could lead to a movement of 'brain power' from the South to the North of Europe, and those present agreed that a set of mechanisms aimed at encouraging researchers to return to their home country should be developed. Finally the conference recognised that links between research centres in Member States and candidate countries need to be strengthened. Participants called for action to create a directory of research centres and specialists in candidate countries, the provision of financial support for infrastructure development and mobility grants for research staff. Conclusions from the conference will be discussed by the agricultural steering committee on 10 January, after which a final summary of conclusions will be made available.
Countries
France