The Role of Research in Global Food and Nutrition Security

THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN GLOBAL FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY

Expo 2015 EU Scientific Steering Committee Discussion paper © European Union, 2015

This document reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held respon- sible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

EUR 27123 EN

ISBN 978-92-79-45830-9

ISSN 1831-9424 doi: 10.2788/521449

All images copyright European Union, except for the cover:

1 1. © cristaltran - Fotolia 2. © monticello - Fotolia 2 3. © WavebreakMediaMicro - Fotolia

3 Foreword

It has been my pleasure to chair responsibility to go further, and the Expo 2015 EU Scientific this may include encouraging Steering Committee tasked with healthy eating patterns to avoid producing this discussion paper diseases associated with over- on the role of research in glob- consumption of calories coupled al food and nutrition security as with low levels of physical activity. part of its participation at Expo Milano 2015. When I was invit- The drafting of this discussion ed by the European Parliament paper was guided by 11 scien- and European Commission to tific experts alongside five stake- lead the work of this committee holder participants and advi- I gladly accepted. sors of international repute (see annex I). Throughout the process we have The issue of food and nutrition security is kept one goal always in mind, to draw on one that affects us all. We must look to inno- the crucial role that research can play in vative solutions to increase food production the fight against world hunger and over- if we are to feed a growing world population coming the challenges associated with en- healthily and sustainably. European research suring food and nutrition security for all. has a key role to play in unlocking the potential of agriculture and in enabling those in The present discussion document gives an developing countries to escape poverty. overview of where European research can add the most value in relation to tackling food The steering committee has prepared a clear and nutrition security challenges and points cut and realistic research agenda focused to areas where we can expand our research on where the EU can add most value in potential. Moreover, it highlights the need addressing the production of, access to and to develop a governance structure that will consumption of food. We have also tried allow sharing of best practices and facilitate to address structural issues related to new the transfer of knowledge and innovation to knowledge and the transfer of knowledge feed the planet sustainably. It should stim- into use. Economic, public and environmen- ulate a global discussion with stakeholders tal health have all been considered in the con- and the general public, ultimately shaping a text of this discussion paper as we looked at legacy for Expo 2015. seven main themes where research could be better utilised to ensure food and nutri- Finally, I would like to thank all members of tion security. We have chosen to use the the steering committee, as well as EU Expo term food and nutrition security through- Commissioner General, David Wilkinson and out our paper as the issues at stake are his staff at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) so much more complex than ensuring who have facilitated this project. availability, access and stability of calories. The EU has already demonstrated its com- Mr Franz Fischler, mitment to turn the tide against undernutri- Chair of the Expo 2015 EU Scientific tion; however, we have a political and moral Steering Committee Steering Committee for the EU scientific programme for Expo 2015

The Steering Committee of the EU sci- sioner General, David Wilkinson in Decem- entific programme for Expo 2015 is a joint ber 2013. The three members of the panel initiative of the European Commission and were Pamela Byrne, Pier Sandro Coccon- the European Parliament and was launched celli and Harry Kuiper. Based on the agree- on 21st March 2014. ment between the chair and the EU Expo Commissioner General the committee also Given the political importance of the Expo includes stakeholder participants from the theme, this Committee was set up in order United Nations, OECD, the private sector to ensure that the European Union takes the and civil society. Subject to the agreement opportunity offered by the platform of Expo with the chairman the committee can invite 2015 “to establish its role as a key player in external experts to specific meetings when- this global debate […] and to work towards ever necessary. fruitful collaboration on these matters with other stakeholders, both public and private” The secretariat of the steering committee (COM(2013) 255 final). is provided by the EU Expo 2015 Taskforce and based in the Joint Research Centre, the Franz Fischler was nominated as its chair European Commission’s in-house science by former Commissioner Maire Geoghegan- service. Working in close cooperation with Quinn. Its eleven scientific experts have policy Directorates-General the JRC’s mis- been selected in a broad and comprehen- sion is to provide EU policies with independ- sive process by a selection panel, which ent, evidence-based scientific and technical was nominated by the EU Expo Commis- support throughout the whole policy cycle.

Franz Fischler Ewa Jakubczyk Chairman, Expo 2015 EU Scientific Steering Committee Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW David Wilkinson EU Commissioner General for Expo 2015, Claudia Sorlini European Commission, JRC Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano Scientific experts: Jo Swinnen Tim Benton LICOS - Centre for Institutions & Economic UK Global Food Security Programme and School Performance, KU Leuven of Biology, University of Leeds Joachim von Braun Hannelore Daniel Centre for Development Research (ZEF), Universität Bonn Centre of Life and Food Sciences, Technische Universität München Stakeholder participants and advisors: Béatrice Darcy-Vrillon Ken Ash Department of Nutrition, Chemical Food Safety Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD and Consumer Behaviour, INRA , Paris Eduardo Rojas Briales Katharina Hedlund UN Commissioner-General for Expo 2015, FAO Centre for Environmental and Climate Research, Lunds Universitet Allan Buckwell Institute of European Environmental Policy Peter Heffernan Marine Institute, Galway Mella Frewen FoodDrinkEurope Esther Kok RIKILT Wageningen UR Mikael Karlsson European Environmental Bureau Maria Saarela VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Helsinki Table of contents

Executive Summary 2

Introduction 4

What is food and nutrition security? 5

Why is food such an issue? Demand and supply under increased pressure 5

finding solutions to global food and nutrition security: the need for research and innovation 7

Where are the research challenges in addressing food and nutrition security? 8

theme A: Improve public health through nutrition – healthy and sustainable consumption 9

theme B: Increase food safety and quality 10

theme C: Reduce losses and waste – more efficient food chain 12

theme D: Manage the land for all ecosystem services – sustainable rural development 13

theme E: Increase agricultural outputs sustainably – sustainable intensification 14

theme F: Understand food markets in an increasingly globalised food system 17

theme G: Increase equity in the food system 18

Structural issues that apply across all themes 20

setting the agenda: foresighting and futures’ research 21

addressing multiple goals: stimulating interdisciplinary and strategic research and action 21

investing in and aligning research 22

transferring research knowledge into innovation and practice 23

education and communication to the public 23

Where can the EU add most value? 24 Executive Summary

Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life is the other natural resources; climate change theme of the 99th World Expo in Milan in is also threatening production growth in 2015. To elaborate this theme the EU estab- many areas. Additionally, reducing the en- lished a scientific steering committee to vironmental impact of agriculture, includ- advise on the challenges of global food and ing greenhouse gas emissions, may in fu- nutrition security. The Expo 2015 EU Sci- ture require new and innovative farming entific Steering Committee, established to methods. provide expert advice on the Expo’s theme, has produced this “discussion paper” to Where are the research launch a debate, to foster cross-disciplinary & innovation challenges? exchange, define research questions, and identify the EU’s role in addressing global There is unlikely to be any single or easy food and nutrition security. solution to tackle food and nutrition security fully5 and many of the challenges of ensur- Currently, 805 million1 people are chronical- ing global food and nutrition security can- ly hungry in the developing world2. Around not be adequately addressed without the two billion more people suffer from micro- participation of the research community. nutrient deficiencies. Lack of adequate nu- In the past, the focus has been on increas- trition is primarily due to lack of access to ing food production to meet a growing food and this is in most cases due to relative demand but recently more emphasis has or absolute poverty3. Furthermore, limited been put on the fact that up to a third of the access to food and rapid food price infla- world’s food production is lost or wasted6. tion can be a cause of civil unrest and drive Moreover, food consumption patterns in human migration. Paradoxically, at the same combination with sedentary lifestyles can time as billions suffer food insecurity more turn into significant and rising burdens than two billion people are overweight or on public health7. Thus, it is of paramount obese as a consequence of over-consump- importance to take a “food systems” view8. tion of calories and lack of physical activity. This progressively increases personal, This requires equal attention on improving public-health and environmental costs and agricultural and fisheries’ productivity, thereby increases the pressure on the glob- reducing the negative environmental im- al food and health systems4. Food and nutri- pacts of production (including reducing tion security is an issue for all societies. emis-sions of greenhouse gasses), reducing waste at all stages in the food chain Historically, global production of food has and in helping citizens eat more healthily. outpaced demand. However, this “outpac- The EU has excellent intellectual resources ing” is now slowing due to both supply which can be brought to bear to mitigate the and demand-issues. People demand more growing risks of global food and nutrition and diverse food, and on the supply-side, insecurity, with the desired outcomes of historic yield growth has slowed or pla- improving economic growth, public health teaued in recent years. In addition, there is and the environment. To address these increased competition for land, water and broad challenges both new knowledge

2 and enhanced movement of knowledge The EU therefore has an important role to into use is needed. The committee has identi- play in delivering research against the chal- fied research challenges across seven broad lenges, but also in showing international themes and these are discussed in detail leadership in research and innovation for in the paper, along with many specific exam- economic and societal benefits by gener- ples of the associated research questions. ating sustainable economic growth and employment and for enhancing health and Cross-cutting issues for creating well-being. and using knowledge There is scope for the further development There are a number of cross-cutting struc- of mechanisms for enhancing research-in- tural issues to enhance the utility of knowl- to-use, via: edge-generation within the EU that are inter- • Research prioritisation to ensure that linked to make a “virtuous spiral”. Indeed, knowledge is generated across the com- initially, strategic analysis of the future (“fore- plex global agri-food system with the sighting”) should set the research needs via highest positive impact for economic, a systems approach. Research undertaken, public and environmental health. by Member States, by the EU and globally, can then generate interdisciplinary knowl- • Developing instruments for aligning com- edge to address the needs of the “multi- plex research challenges across multiple ple bottom lines” for economic, public and societal needs and across space (within environmental “health”. The research effort and between member states and beyond). across different countries also needs aligning • Promoting a sophisticated and inclusive to ensure its complementarity. The knowl- innovation culture building on European edge generated then needs to be utilised to Innovation Partnerships, within the EU create technological and social innovation and beyond (e.g. in Africa); particularly via (including via education). Innovation then cre- facilitating a sustainable bioeconomy and ates, in turn, social and economic change. sharing related science and institutional This, coupled with global development and knowledge internationally. environmental change over time, then requires the forecasting to be updated. • Improvement of communication and knowledge exchange that is inclusive and re- Where can the EU add most value? spectful of cultural complexity. • Developing models of governance for de- The EU is a unique entity which coordinates livering sustainable agriculture and nutri- research, policy and practice that affects a tion from local to supra-national scales. large number of countries. It hosts a vast human capital of researchers, with significant amounts of world-leading expertise. Many of the issues raised by the food and nutrition security challenge are inherently interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral and culturally-entrenched. The EU already has a strong track record of coordination between research providers, across countries, and research users across policy domains.

3 Introduction

The next, and 99th, Universal Exposition will The EU is an important stakeholder in the take place in 2015 in Milan on the theme global debate on how best to achieve food “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. Since and nutrition security. Research within 1851, “Expos” have been major internation- Europe, and alignment of Europe’s research al events serving as a forum for dialogue (and funding) with other countries has a between governments and institutions, and significant role to play to address food and also acting as an opportunity for knowl- nutrition security in Europe and globally. edge exchange with the public on the Expo A Steering Committee was established to theme. “Feeding the Planet” is one of the provide expert advice on Expo’s theme. most pressing challenges of our time, and The Steering Committee’s role was to (a) is of prime importance for the EU. Many EU give guidance on the draft programme of policy areas are related to it: from agricul- conferences, work-shops and online con- ture to development, from food safety and sultation for Expo 2015, and (b) provide this consumer health to environmental protec- paper highlighting priorities for research, tion, from industry to research and innova- development and innovation on the theme tion; and the EU has an important role to of global food and nutrition security. play in providing solutions. This paper should stimulate discussion Expo 2015 coincides with the target year with stakeholders and the general pub- of the Millennium Development Goals, the lic and ultimately contribute to the EU’s launching of the Sustainable Development legacy from the Expo. It is a “think piece” Goals and the midpoint of Europe’s 2020 suggesting a strategy to address the Strategy. Expo 2015 organisers’ initial strat- challenges spanning the production of, egy document aimed to highlight the impor- access to, and consumption of food. The tance of social and political discussion: paper does not make recommendations “The theme of Feeding the Planet, Energy for policy, rather it aims to prompt dis- for Life impacts [on] the strategic decisions cussion of where research and innova- governments [will] be making in forthcom- tion can contribute most to solving the ing decades, and… the everyday experience issues, including providing underpinning of every… human being”. Expo provides an evidence for policy development. opportunity to communicate with citizens, and also a platform to foster global research and policy development through international conferences, workshops, exchang- es of best practices and joint declarations on actions. The goal is for the Expo 2015 theme to have a lasting legacy by stimulating a policy debate among the 148 participating countries and international organisations.

4 of the research challenges that arise from a high caloric intake and inadequate physical exercise with the need to encourage What is healthy and sustainable eating patterns, and food and nutrition a reduction in waste along the food chain. security? The paper gives a big picture overview of the growing global demand for food, and the supply-side constraints. Then the Food security 9, as defined by the Food research and knowledge needs are dis- and Agriculture Organization (FAO), occurs cussed, grouped into seven broad themes, when all people, all of the time, have phys- focussing on where research within the EU ical, social and economic access to suffi- can add most value in addressing the pro- cient, safe and nutritious food that meets duction of, access to and consumption of their dietary needs and food preferences for food. Finally structural issues are examined an active and healthy life 10. Clearly, with an to do with knowledge generation and use. estimated 805 million11 who are chronically hungry in the developing world now12, and 165 million children who are stunted and will carry the burden of this through their lives13, we are far from this, globally. A further two billion individuals suffer from iron deficien- Why is food cy or other micronutrient deficiencies (vita- such an issue? mins, minerals, trace elements)14 highlighting the importance of the need for nutrients Demand and beyond calories. For billions of people, the supply under problems of gaining adequate nutrition and calories are primarily due to lack of access increased pressure to food. For most, this is due to poverty15. Beyond impacts on health, lack of access to food can destabilise communities especial- Historically, global growth in production ly in periods of rapid food price inflation16. of food has matched or slightly outpaced Food and nutrition insecurity can also act growth in consumption, as indicated by the as a driver for changing patterns of human downward trend in real food prices in the migration, including transnationally17. 20th Century. However, this “outpacing” has slowed due to changes in both demand and The developed world also has food inse- supply. cure people: growing income inequality means that the number of those strug- On the demand side, demand for food gling to feed their family is increasing. and other agricultural22 outputs (especially Across the EU some 50 million people biofuels) is growing rapidly. By the middle face material deprivation, with 18 million of the century, there will be about a third receiving food aid in 201018. Malnutrition more people on the planet. At the moment, is not just a problem of under-consump- about two billion people are in the global tion19: more than a third of all adults are middle class income bracket of $10-100 per overweight or obese20; leading to personal, day and this number is expected to rise public-health and environmental costs and by three billion by 2030; the bulk of this adding more pressure to the global food increase will be in the Asia-Pacific region23. system21. We therefore include discussion As people get richer, their diets change,

5 typically eating both more and differently. of animal protein and micronutrients for Demand projections to mid-century sug- 400 million people in the poorest countries. gest a need for 60-110%24 more food. A parallel development is that aquaculture This is primarily driven by growing demand has been the fastest growing food related for, and intensification of, livestock pro- activity but it also brings its own challenges, duction (crops for feed currently repre- akin to those of agriculture (i.e. space needs, sent 53% of global plant protein pro- inputs and pollution). Increasing compe- duction, and 36% of calorie production, tition for resources applies not just to pro- enough to supply calories for four billion duction, but also across the food-chain: people)25. for example, food processing accounts for 5-10% of industrial water use, and 17% of On the supply-side, increasing world food aluminium use is for packaging, the majori- production to meet growing demand faces ty for food and drink32. three main challenges. First, the yields per hectare of the main agricultural crops are Third, the climate, and therefore the weather, currently increasing at rates that are insuf- is changing. Estimates of the impact of ficient to match long-term demand without future climate change – on today’s farming using significantly more land26. Innovation systems – vary according to the methods is therefore needed to raise yields in ways used, the crop, and the location. For the peri- that do not undermine sustainability. od 2030-2049, about 10% of projections are for yield gains of more than 10% relatively to Second, competition for natural resources the late 20th century; but about 10% of pro- is growing. Productive agricultural land is jections indicate yield losses of more than increasingly used for producing biofuels and 25%, mainly in the low latitudes33. Such other non-food products, as well as being estimates highlight the need for agricultural converted into urban infrastructure; some is adaptation (including changing genetics of also lost due to degradation of soils27 and crop plants) to avoid yield loss34. In addi- desertification. Deforestation to create fur- tion to changes in average yields, there is ther land for agriculture is undesirable due considerable uncertainty about the impacts to the social and environmental costs asso- of changing patterns of extreme-weather ciated (e.g. biodiversity loss, greenhouse on production. Current projections are for gas emissions). Water for agriculture cur- yields to become more variable, with year- rently accounts for 70% of abstraction from on-year variability perhaps increasing by rivers and groundwater globally28. A recent 50%35 by 2050. To exemplify the potential analysis suggests that to meet demand, and impact of climate change, a recent study on assuming yield gaps are reduced through maize in France concluded that, over the research and technology, 56% more water next two decades, yields would need to for irrigation would be required by 205029. increase by more than 12% simply to offset In many areas, even with efficiency gains, the increasing frequency of very hot days36. such increased water demand may not be Climate change also affects oceans and attainable. Increasing pressures on marine aquatic systems for example through rising resources are leading to the depletion of sea levels, acidification, warming of waters fish stocks, threatening over 500 million and storms. Although fishing activities may people30 who depend, directly or indirectly, impact stocks and ecosystem more than on fisheries and aquaculture for their live- climate change, weakened fishery resourc- lihoods. Furthermore, fish is paramount to es are more vulnerable to collapse due to food and nutrition security as it provides a climate change37. In addition to the need to significant component of animal protein for adapt to climate change, globally agriculture over four billion people31 and at least 50% accounts for between a quarter and a third

6 of greenhouse gas emissions38; mitigation tion to improving agricultural and fisheries’ of climate change via reducing emissions is productivity, reducing the negative envi- itself a considerable challenge and may in ronmental impacts of production, reducing future require farming in different ways. waste at all stages in the food chain and helping citizens of all countries eat more In conclusion, demand for food is growing healthily. The EU has excellent intellectual and supply growth faces a range of signif- resources for research and innovation which icant constraints. These challenges play can mitigate the risks associated with global out in an increasingly globalised world, food insecurity and lead to simultaneously where international trade in food is grow- improving economic growth, public health ing exponentially39. Trade creates connec- and the environment. An important stra- tions between spatially separated parts of tegic innovation addressing these issues the world, such that production (and its is the concept of the knowledge-based impacts) is separated from consumption, it “bioeconomy”, pioneered by the EU, and allows more efficient allocation of resoures Germany in recent years, and subsequent- and shares the burden of supply shocks ly adopted by many other countries.44 Agri- reducing price volatility. culture is increasingly considered as a key part of the bioeconomy, i.e. the production, transformation and utilisation of bio-based resources and materials.

The agri-food system – and its impacts Finding solutions on the environment and public health – is to global food inherently complex. Whilst research may be able to abolish or resolve some of the inher- and nutrition ent trade-offs (e.g. between production of security: the need food and environmental protection), many will remain. A trade-off implies the need for for research and a societal choice on how best to balance innovation (“optimise”) between the different ecosystem services and whilst research can help identify the issues, and underpin good pol- Many of the issues associated with meeting icy by providing knowledge, it cannot itself the demand for food in the face of climate determine solutions to trade-offs. change, potentially on less land, with less water, and lower environmental impacts require research and innovation. There is unlikely to be any single or easy solution to tackle food and nutrition security fully40. In the past the focus has been on increasing food production to meet growing demand but more recently it has also been empha- sised that up to a third of the world’s food production is lost or wasted41. Moreover, increasingly food consumption patterns in combination with sedentary lifestyles turn into significant and rising burdens on public health42. Thus, it is necessary to take a “food systems” view 43 giving equal atten-

To address the global food and nutrition tion exercises45 including those underpin- security challenge both new knowledge and ning the development of the Horizon2020 enhanced movement of knowledge into use programme46, the committee identified are needed. Informed by a range of horizon prime research areas which are grouped scanning, foresight and research prioritisa- into 7 themes ( Figure 1).

Figure 1

8 A number of generic issues apply across the themes. Climate change will have pro- found effects not just on production, but may also impact on food safety and spoil- Theme A age, international trade via weather-related disruptions and interact with nutrition to Improve public health affect health. Climate change mitigation may through nutrition: also require changing practice along the food chain which may affect production healthy and and transport. Many of the areas highlight sustainable “wicked problems”, where there are trade- offs between social objectives; navigating consumption these to produce an equitable outcome can be very difficult. Delivering outcomes contributing to the three goals of simultane- Globally, access to more and better food ously improving the economy, public health has increased in recent history, and a func- and environment may require social or insti- tioning agri-food system that provides a tutional reform, not just research. There is diversity of produce, cheaply, at all times, thus a broad governance task of making and is something many of us take for granted. implementing appropriate societal choices The life expectancy of European citizens to optimise the agri-food system. is steadily increasing47, and good nutrition and agri-food processes are likely to have The Expo 2015 EU Scientific Steering Com- contributed to this. However, there remain mittee describes the themes below and adverse nutritional outcomes from the agri- gives exemplar research questions and food system. For the global poor, access innovation needs which emerge from them. to sufficient food for a healthy diet remains All themes are important, and all have to a daily struggle, with a significant propor- be tackled. First, consumption patterns tion of the global population suffering from and food safety and quality themes are chronic hunger and nutrient deficiency, and discussed to reflect that these are areas with poor maternal nutrition leading to life- where we think Europe has greatest need long consequences for children. Despite and demonstrates examples of best prac- this, the major causes of death and disabil- tice respectively that could lead the way ity worldwide are now non-communicable to more sustainable food systems. These diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease and are followed by waste-reduction, resource diabetes48. Topping the risk factors for NCDs management and sustainable agriculture are dietary factors. In 2013, an estimated themes, indicating areas high on the pol- 32 million adults aged 20-79 in the EU had icy agenda of the EU where we consider diabetes, and the health expenditure allo- Europe can provide examples for others cated to treat and prevent this disease and to follow. The description ends with the its complications was estimated to be in themes on trade and global equity, as these the order of 100 billion euros49 In addition, may require concerted global action. unhealthy diet is linked to increased cancer risk and heart disease. Across the world obesity is increasing. In the EU, about 20% of people are obese (~150m people)50.

9 With diet-related non-communicable dis- • Understanding consumer behaviour bet- eases becoming a global driver of ill health, ter to find ways of creating changes in encouraging healthier diets, coupled with food consumption that reduce the public the promotion of more active lifestyles and health burden and environmental costs sport is a positive strategy for enhancing of farming: understanding and promoting public health. Informing consumers about “sustainable nutrition”. the implications of their food choices will also benefit the environment. There are • Given economic growth, and developing therefore increasing needs to recognise countries’ associated dietary transitions, that agriculture, food, nutrition and health defining interventions that most effec- are intertwined51: what is grown, its nutri- tively reduce (or prevent) the twin pub- tional composition, and how it is consumed lic-health burdens of malnourishment are all important drivers of public health in through under- and over-consumption. rich and poor nations alike. • Enhancing the nutritional quality of food through identification, and promotion of, Enhancing the nutritional composition of alternative farming systems, including agricultural production and the formulation more diversified ones, or different crops. of foods to benefit public health present • Developing biofortification, fortification research challenges. For the poorest, this and reformulation of food for health out- may be about production of sufficient nutri- comes whilst ensuring public acceptance tion (Theme E), empowerment (Theme G) of this. and access to markets (Theme F). In the developing world economic growth is creat- • Better understanding is needed of the ing dietary transitions from subsistence-di- human metabolic system and how it in- ets to more westernised diets. How can teracts with diet, including the role of the research help underpin transitions which gut microbiome in healthy and diseased are positive for health? In the developed states. world, perhaps even more important is the understanding of how to promote wise consumption decisions and therefore, at a population level, eating sustainable healthy diets. Theme B Exemplar research areas Increase food safety

• Better understanding of the specific nu- and quality tritional requirements of different demo- graphic groups (e.g. the aged) or different genotypes is required. What is the role for In addition to nutrition for good health, “personalised nutrition” and how it can globally consumers need food that is safe be achieved? to eat as well as water that is safe to drink. Increasing food safety requires attention • Enhancing the ability to provide healthy, throughout the food chain from “plough to safe and sustainable food for those on plate”. There are risks associated with chem- low incomes. ical contamination of products (e.g. some use of pesticides), or contaminated in-gre- dients (sometimes substituted for economic reasons), spoilage, microbial contamination, and adulteration (as a form of

10 fraud, or even bioterrorism). Identifying risks • Developing sensors and sensing systems, and mitigation actions can take many forms, for laboratory and field, to ensure safety technological, regulatory or social (e.g. better and traceability of food during transport, understanding of food storage and labelling). processing and retailing. Improving scientific (e.g. genetic fingerprinting) and Food safety requires transparent supply legal tools to combat counterfeiting and chains, and labels that consumers trust to enhance traceability. ensure authentic, unadulterated and uncon- • Improving our risk assessment and man- taminated food. Food safety is also implicit agement strategies for complex whole in themes A and C: healthy diets and man- foods of microbial, plant or animal origin aging food waste. Ensuring safety requires (including identifying allergenicity risks). significant regulation and the development of food preparation, transport and logistics, • Innovating food safety regulations (and which are safe and transparent, coupled labels) that minimises waste and enhanc- with enhanced testing for adulteration or es safety by promoting consumer under- contamination. Safety also requires better standing of risks. education about risks. • Enhancing research in order to promote harmonisation of labelling and informa- A related area concerns certification and tion systems, including the development labelling schemes to promote quality and of communication tools for ethical (eg. other attributes. The EU’s “Geographical animal welfare), environmental and social Indication” scheme recognises the geo- attributes of food products52. graphical origin of certain foods, to promote attributes of traditional production systems. • Enhancing organisational and institution- Organic agriculture is also supported to fos- al cooperation to promote best practic- ter diversification of food production and es in building and managing certification to reduce its environmental impact. Such systems in developing countries. schemes allow traditional local expertise to • Promoting social research to better un- participate in global markets and may func- derstand consumer attitudes to “values” tion as social protection. Many important (quality, environmental standards) rather research questions remain about the role than simply the value (economic price). that such schemes have for balancing con- This understanding will enable consum- sumers’ versus producers’ interests, and ers to easily make informed choices in the role they play in international trade. light of changing food products in terms of composition, origin and health and Exemplar research areas en-vironmental impacts.

• Enhancing production, storage, process- • Investigating which “quality” regulations ing and logistics, especially in the devel- are important for society and which are oping world to mitigate the contamination primarily of interest to producers and risks of food or water by, for example, mi- may, in specific cases, negatively affect crobial contaminants (including from poor society. sewerage, or aflatoxins arising from poor storage) or improper use of pesticides. • Developing smarter food production, processing and logistics to limit the potential for adulteration or contamination of food (including food fraud and bio-terrorism).

11 chains. Furthermore, where waste is una- voidable (including human waste) there is a need to increase recycling of the nutrient Theme C content, especially phosphate and nitrate, organic matter and also energy (e.g. via Reduce losses and anaerobic digestion). waste: more efficient Exemplar research areas food chain • Developing better knowledge about where food is lost and wasted through- Significant agricultural production is lost out supply chains, and therefore where or wasted from the farm to the home53. In the leverage-points are for action, and un- developing countries, food losses result derstanding the costs-and-benefits asso- from wide-ranging managerial and tech- ciated with them. This applies to local and nical limitations in harvesting techniques, global food-chains, and both in the devel- storage, transportation, processing, cool- oped and developing worlds. ing facilities, infrastructure, packaging and • Improving genetics for enhanced stor- marketing systems. Across the EU, an age (whilst maintaining taste, quality and estimated 90 million tonnes of food is safety). wasted54; for example, in 2012, Sweden wasted 127 kg of food per person. This • Across the world, creating smarter logis- estimate does not include the food wast- tics, packaging, storage and supply chains ed in the production phase (agriculture to reduce spoilage, recognising the dif- and fishing) and the inevitable food waste ferences in developing and developed from the food processing industry. Of this worlds’ supply chains. amount, 81 kg per person was generated • Enhancing public understanding of qual- in households55. In sum, waste produced ity assurance (sell by/best before/expiry) by EU and North America is equivalent to dates to reduce waste as well as other the total food production of sub-Saharan interventions in the home (meal planning, Africa. Little reliable data exists for on-farm smart fridges). losses in the EU but they may be significant56, due to weather, outgrading and “insurance” • Improving prediction to align demand and production for supermarket contracts. supply (e.g. seasonal weather forecasting) to minimise “insurance” production Finding ways to minimise loss and wast- that goes to waste if supply and demand age of food (as well as energy and nutri- are mismatched. ents) through the supply chain, from “farm • Developing recycling technologies to op- to flush” will need many technologies such timise recovery of energy, organic matter as longer-range weather forecasting for and nutrients from waste and ensure its agricultural planning and demand forecast- safety for reuse. ing, smarter packaging and supply chain • Developing innovative products from food logistics, changed genetics for improved industry residues. storage, recycling technologies. Changes in consumers’ knowledge, attitudes and food • Increasing innovations to improve effi- cultures may also be as important. Whilst ciency and reduce any form of waste we focus on food loss and waste, the broad- (e.g. water, energy, aluminium and other er challenge exists of increasing efficiency packaging) across supply chains. and reducing waste across agri-food supply

12 However, some integrated land-use planning may be needed to ensure that agriculture, rural development, and wider eco- Theme D system service provision are maintained in Manage the land for all a place-appropriate way. Agricultural landscapes also interface with estuarine and ecosystem services: coastal ecosystems so land-based agricul- sustainable rural ture may affect environmental services in fresh and salt water. In the marine envi- development ronment for both wild-caught fisheries and aquaculture, similar issues apply around maintaining environmental services at a Agricultural landscapes provide a wide large scale. range of goods and services to society. These “environmental services57” include Whilst this theme focuses on balancing land provision of food, and also fuels, fibre and use to produce all that society requires, these clean water, and “non-provisioning” servic- issues also arise at global scale. Global- es, such as the cultural value of the land- ly, some areas of land have higher agricul- scape. Agricultural landscapes provide hab- tural potential, whereas others may support itats for biodiversity that aids production globally significant environmental services (such as pollinators, natural pest control and (e.g. tropical rainforests). What mechanisms soil biodiversity) but also culturally impor- of global analysis and governance can apply tant biodiversity exemplified by flowers, to balance global land uses for food versus butterflies and birds. Agricultural land- other important services and ensure eco- scapes also affect water-flow and flood-risk nomic equity and sustainability? downstream, and provide important rec- rea-tion and amenity use, improving health Exemplar research areas and well-being. They can sequester carbon. They support rural livelihoods and have cul- • Better understanding of the “earth sys- tural value. Agricultural landscapes thus tem”is needed and how it will respond have important heritage protection roles to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, (for cuisine, dress, customs, language, archi- including the impacts on climate, weather tecture). Rural recreation and tourism and and yield potential. the non-food provisioning services are of • Enhancing research on which to build de- massive economic, social and cultural impor- cision-support tools for optimising land tance in Europe; they are an important part use, which will maintain a range of envi- of what EU rural development policy aims ronmental services (including production to encourage and protect. Agricultural land of food, fuel or fibre), specific to place creates a nexus between many different and at appropriate scale. This includes goods and services that we require. better knowledge of the link between small-scale practices (at the field scale) Agricultural management (Theme E) plays and outcomes, such as on water quality a part in maintaining the range of environ- or biodiversity, at the landscape, or catch- mental services at local as well as at larg- ment scale. This requires understanding, er scale. It does this through appropriate and managing, the potential conflicts be- use of inputs, tillage, and management of tween different land uses (and their us- non-cropped areas providing habitat for bio- ers) and their impact of different services. diversity and protection of water-courses.

13 Such decision-support tools may be needed at the landscape (or community) scale as well as at bigger scales sub- to supra- national. Theme E • If decision-support tools, highlighted in Increase agricultural the bullet above, facilitate our actions, outputs sustainably: the next step involves investigating how to implement these decisions at a commu- sustainable nity/country/regional level. This may especially be the case in small-scale farm- intensification ing systems in marginal areas, and, in the tropical world, ways of incentivising Given that little, if any extra land is available forest preservation rather than deforesta- for agriculture, there is a need to increase tion. The challenges are (a) to identify how yields from the existing agricultural land area to reward the ecosystem services these whilst simultaneously reducing the environ- areas can supply; and (b) to discuss the mental impact. This is “sustainable intensi- farming structures needed to deliver this fication”58. These issues about productivity and the restructuring processes to get and sustainability apply as much to fisher- there. This broadly includes “social farm- ies and aquaculture as agriculture. Sustain- ing” in the potential for using small-scale ability is an essential requirement, without agriculture to provide social or educational which there is the potential to cross local- care services for the vulnerable. and planetary boundaries, beyond which • Identifying the existence of thresholds agricultural performance may decline. In which, if crossed, cause environmental addition, sustainability encompasses the services, including food provisioning, to need for maintaining livelihoods, as well decline rapidly (local- and planetary bound- as environmental services for wider soci- aries). Develop ways of assessing the etal good (Theme D). One route towards trajectory towards them, and predicting sustainable intensification may come from when they may be crossed. These ques- systems’ analysis of ecological systems tions should be investigated at all scales. (sometimes called “agro-ecology”59) to drive • Developing a stronger, publically available, ecological intensification. A related route evidence-base to underpin the sustain- comes from organic agriculture, which has able implementation of EU policy instru- reduced environmental impacts compared ments such as the Common Agricultural to conventional farming, but requires more Policy, Rural Development and Structural research to close improve productivity. In Policy or Water Framework Directive. addition, as highlighted above, the important societal outcomes from the agri-food system include health: so when considering “yields”, the nutritional quality and food safety (themes A and B) are as important as the amount of food.

As places may differ significantly in many characteristics, one-size-fits-all solutions do not universally apply. Opportunities exist for developing different approaches for different locations to provide overall yield gains in a sustainable way.

14 For any farmed plant or animal its pheno- also trade-off against economic sustainabil- type (and thus its yield), depends on a com- ity (which typically depends on the volume plex interaction between its genes, the of yield) or environmental impacts. Similar local environment and the way it is farmed. issues apply in managing the sustainability Better understanding the gene x environ- of aquaculture and managed fisheries. ment x management (GxExM) interaction is needed to support agriculture and sus- Exemplar research areas tainable management appropriate to location, and in relationship to climate change, • Developing metrics for measuring sustain- “climate smart agriculture”60. ability and resilience, as well as impacts upon ecosystem services and natural Genetic improvement of crops and livestock capital. (including fish for aquaculture), whether for • Developing greater understanding of the the quality or quantity of yield, or resistance potential impact of climate change on pro- to pests, heat or drought, requires the uti- duction at a variety of spatial scales, and lisation of modern biotechnology (which including understanding of the uncertain- spans a continuum between conventional ty of the estimates. breeding and genetic modification). Modern biotechnology, along with related emerging • Developing precision crop and livestock technologies aimed at genetic adjustment agriculture; including sensing at animal/ and improvement, such as synthetic biology, plant, field and landscape levels, and and other technologies that may be used in their engineering applications (including agricultural and food production processes, robotics) and decision-support tools. For such as nanotechnology, require significant livestock this includes formulating food dialogue with society to ensure legitimacy and manipulating the gut microbiome for and the minimisation of risks (whether envi- positive outcomes for growth, methane ronmental, health, economic or livelihoods). reduction and efficiency, and develop- Specifically within the livestock sector, ing individual health surveillance to avoid sustainable intensification also requires prophylactic antimicrobial therapy. consideration of a range of welfare issues. • Developing better integrated soil management for nutrients, carbon-storage, water Agricultural land management sits within quality and retention to ensure long-term wider land uses (Theme D) and agricul- sustainability. ture’s impacts affect these. Improving sustainability at the farm scale requires more • Developing or enhancing alternative farm- than improvement in efficiency. Sustaina- ing systems: bility requires better management of inputs, ° Enhancing the development of ap- including their potential substitution, to proaches to improve re-use and recy- reduce their effects on the wider environ- cling to create “circular” agricultural ment. However, the impacts of a manage- systems. This includes the recovery ment practice may depend on the location, and recycling of phosphate, nitrates, so operisationalising “sustainable intensifi- potash and organic matter from the cation” in a place-appropriate way is a sub- nutrient surplus areas (urban are- ject of significant research, including devel- as and areas of intensive livestock oping appropriate measurement systems production) to nutrient deficit are- and understanding of trade-offs between as, typically arable areas. Research yields and environmental impacts. And, of is needed on how to manage this course, there are broader issues of social technically, institutionally, for food sustainability (themes D and G) which may safety and culturally (such as social

15 acceptance of treated sewage sludge ° Given increasing competition for (and for food crops). societally-led regulation of) inputs, improving resource-use-efficiency (nutri- ° Developing urban and peri-urban ents, pesticides, water etc) will be im- farming systems, including vertical portant, as well as development of ag- farming, to provision cities. ronomic practice to this end. ° Utilising agro-forestry or permacul- The concentration on a small number ture to enhance both carbon storage ° of agricultural products, over larger and production61. land areas, creates a risk in the ho- ° Utilising ecological processes and in- mogeneity of production and con- teractions to increase resilience. For ex- sumption at a global scale63. ample, soil regeneration; enhancing - New pests and pathogens are like- mycorrhizal associations and natu- ly to arise due to globalisation and ral pest control to reduce inputs; or changing climate. Developing new the development of long-term carbon means of breeding for sustainable sinks through intercropping with, for pest resistance, as well as predict- example, the Iroko tree which builds ing, and tackling pests, are impor- carbonate layers in soil62. tant areas of endeavour. ° The goal of “sustainable nutrition” (Fig- - Developing new crop varieties to ure 1, Theme A) implies changes in reduce risks and enhance nutri- diets and therefore agricultural pro- tional outcomes duction. Horticulture places different Improving the nutritional quality of ag- requirements on soils, water, manage- ° ricultural products including biofortifi- ment, as well as requiring different cation and new varieties of crop for genetics. What crops should be commercial use. Improving genetics, developed and where? Investigating especially for livestock, and agricultur- the structural changes that can pro- al practices to enhance food safety. mote changes in farming systems that are sustainable environmentally ° Improving photosynthetic efficiency to and for livelihoods of rural communi- better harness sunlight by plants and ties is needed. developing perennial and nitrogen fixing crops are long-term innovation • Utilising new sources of protein (such as challenges. algae, plants, insects, or from stem cells) for feed and food production. Improving • Understanding better how to engage with aquaculture systems for delivery of pro- citizens and their attitude to the poten- tein with high-welfare and low environ- tial benefits/costs/risks associated with mental impact. new technologies in agri-food and the environment. • Improving genetics of crops and livestock is necessary to tackle many issues of in- • Better understanding is needed of how to creasing yields, and their quality, whilst develop governance systems and strate- also coping with other challenges. For ex- gies for sustainable intensification based ample: on participation, precaution and the polluter pays principle. ° Developing genetics for the changing climate (whether more extremes of heat, drought or rainfall, or via resilience to variability to maintain yield stability), and for specific places (to optimise the GxExM).

16 and understanding the evolution of the global market and how it responds to emerging unprecedented climatic and geo- Theme F political shocks are further areas where Understand food research is needed. markets in an Exemplar research areas

increasingly globalised • Developing tools that help to understand food system how the global food system may be affected by events not previously experi- enced like a multiple food system failure International trade in food has grown (e.g. driven by extreme weather events - 64 faster than production, though it is still a El Nino ). What would happen to trade, minor share. Traditionally benefits from price, access and local land-use decisions? trade accrue because it allows production • Better understanding of how to predict, to expand where resource endowments and manage, risks for safety, authenticity confer the greatest advantage. Trading and price stability within logistically effi- infrastructure, both physical and financial, cient and transparent food chains. that facilitates open trade also enables the widest sharing of adjustments to • In an era of rising prices, investigating market shocks. Conversely, trade inhibition what steps can be taken to lessen the re- invariably destabilises markets, widening gressive effects on global and local poor. price volatility. From a European perspec- • Understanding the role of EU production tive, trade offers the opportunity to export in global food and nutrition security, as high quality food and drinks and import well as its potential for economic growth beverages, agricultural raw materials and whilst minimising risks. feedstuffs less suitable to our temperate • Understanding better the risks of glo- climate. As the price gap between the EU balised and sophisticated just-in-time and world markets has closed, and also supply chains and how they relate to local to the extent that Europe may be more economic growth and its resilience. immune to climate change impacts than many parts of the rest of the world, markets • Assessing the robustness and resilience for EU exports may expand. of food, energy, nutrient and other market factors. There may be some concerns that reliance • Understanding the balance of economic, on global markets for importing significant environmental and social effects of foreign quantities of food could present increasing direct investment in land and other pro- risk if production conditions become more duction assets within and outside Europe. variable and the commitment to trade liberalisation falters. So steps are needed Investigating the integration of ecosystem to ensure our food system is resilient. services and climate needs into trade Some are concerned that longer, and more agreements. complex, supply chains may reduce trans- parency and increase risk to food authen- ti-city and safety. Improving the transparen- cy of production, consumption and stocks

17 Land tenure is also highlighted in Goal 2.3. This is perhaps particularly important given the recent upwards trends in large scale Theme G land acquisitions (LSLA) whereby investors (including governments) seek new land for Increase equity investment purposes. Many commentators in the food system have argued that LSLA have tended to benefit the investors over local communities, displace small farmers and even impact The Sustainable Development Goals upon food security67. Is this necessarily the (SDGs), to be published in 2015, are over- case, are land rights well and fairly estab- arching goals for sustainable economic lished and traded? development. Many of the SDGs aims have a strong social, ethical or gendered compo- If demand growth exceeds supply growth, nent. In the current draft65, Goal 1 will be to it will lead to upward trends in food prices. end poverty everywhere; agriculture has a For rural net producers this can provide significant role to play in this for many rural welcome income growth. But the landless communities in the world. The second goal and urban poor will find their real incomes will be to end hunger, achieve food secu- declining in such circumstances. How will rity and improved nutrition, and promote equity of access to food for the poor be sustainable agriculture. ensured? Many analyses suggest that when food prices increase, the poor pay more, As SDGs current Goal 2.3 highlights, one trade down and buy less. Cheaper foods important area is to double the “incomes are often highly caloric with a poor nutrient of small-scale food producers, particularly composition. Hence in addition to hunger, women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, high food prices can also lead to severe pastoralists and fishers, including through malnutrition and chronic health issues. secure and equal access to land, other pro- Ensuring both economic growth and equi- ductive resources and inputs, knowledge, ty is a challenge for policy and governance, financial services, markets, and opportuni- and requires significant social science re- ties for value addition and non-farm employ- search to inform. ment” This goal emphasises that access to resources (eg knowledge, finances, inputs) Exemplar research areas is a major issue for many, and highlights the needs of women. Women are often • Identifying culturally sensitive interven- major care-givers and important for produc- tions to improve women’s nutrition, child tion in many smallholder farming systems, nutrition, and women’s economic empow- however, they often have poorer access to erment as food producers, processors nutrition, education, income, and to agricul- and retailers tural knowledge and technologies. Further- • Given the importance of malnutrition in more, there are very marked life-course and the first 1000 days of life, we need to bet- inter-generational66 impacts of poor mater- ter ensure food and nutrition security for nal and child nutrition during the first 1000 local and global maternal and child health. days of life, so the nutrition of women and Identifying what are the best ways to do children is a key area of focus. When men this for any given socio-cultural situation? may have the economic power, how best to implement policy to target women and children requires significant research.

18 • Access to, and tenure of, agricultural land institutions. Identifying to what extent, underpins production and its security in and in what way, food sovereignty can many parts of the world. Investigating align with institutional power is needed. how governance institutions can fully Although food sovereignty is often seen take into account the needs of those who as less relevant in the developed world, have a stake in the land. In the develop- the current rejection of GM food producing world, this primarily concerns models tion by some EU citizens can be seen as of tenure (and their transformation), in the an issue of food sovereignty. How best EU it is also about the public goods coming to resolve such issues is an active area of from agricultural land (themes D and E). research. • Minimising costs given the growth of • Developing interventions to enhance ac- LSLA, and maximising the potential for cess to nutritious food for the EU’s poorest. benefits to investors and traditional inhab- • Investigating what reduces the vulnerabil- itants of the land. ity of subsistence farming systems? • Strengthening the assessments of the relative importance of small-holding farms None of these seven themes stands alone. compared to larger commercial entities Together, they exemplify the “systems ap- so to ensure a fair place to each of these proach” to the agri-food chain. The big approaches to farming for the future of challenge is how, appropriate to each re- agriculture in the developing world. gion or country, sustainable food systems can be developed, that simultaneously have • Understanding, at country and regional positive outcomes for human health, envi- level, the specific causes of food inse- ronmental health, rural community health curity in order better to develop targeted and economic growth, and through these solutions. achieve global food and nutrition security. • Food sovereignty implies that citizens should have the right to shape the food system they want, even though the (economic) power often resides in a few large

19 Structural issues that apply across all themes

There are a number of cross-cutting struc- the EU and globally, to generate knowledge. tural issues to enhance the utility of knowl- This research needs to address the triple edge-generation within the EU. These “bottom lines” for economic, public and issues are characterised as being inter- environmental health, and therefore has to linked to make a virtuous spiral (Figure 2). be interdisciplinary and undertaken within a Initially, strategic analysis of the future (fore- systems approach. Research effort across sighting) sets the research needs. Research different countries should be better aligned is then undertaken, by member states, by to ensure complementarity of efforts.

Figure 2

20 The knowledge generated then should be Structural issues that utilised by creating technological and social innovation (in part through education and communication). Innovation then, in turn, Addressing multiple apply across all themes creates social and economic change. This coupled with global development and envi- goals: stimulating ronmental change happening through time, then requires the forecasting to be updated. interdisciplinary and These issues are explored in turn below. strategic research and action

“Food and nutrition security” can be Setting the agenda: considered as a “meta-challenge” as it necessarily covers health, production, en- foresighting and vironment, trade, economics and international development. Finding the right bal- futures’ research ance across the three areas of economic, environmental and public health requires new ways of thinking. Additionally, the food The world is changing very fast given demo- system is highly dependent on water, ener- graphic change, population, and economic gy and land use. These complex interactions growth, coupled with climate change and are sometimes termed the “nexus” prob- a range of geo-political issues. Strategic lem. For example, agriculture impacts on research takes time to deliver outcomes, water use and quality and there is the risk of so delivering research to underpin future trading off increasing agricultural output innovation needs is aided by scoping what against decreasing water availability or these may be. This requires using (and fur- quality with environmental or social impacts. ther developing) methodologies for looking These interactions lead to a need to balance ahead, via developing scenarios, foresight- across food, water, land, and energy, rather ing and horizon scanning. This is not in order than simply thinking about maximising food to predict the future, but to look at plausi- production. The breadth of the intellectual ble futures as a guide to developing either challenge requires greater interdisciplinary strategies for planning or finding solutions thinking than has hitherto been the norm, that “fit most scenarios”. Such approach- and requires significant cooperation across es can also help avoid closing down future the EU (and beyond) as no single country options if the world ends up not as we can invest sufficiently to fully address the imagine it. Given the EU’s academic exper- challenge. We therefore need to encour- tise, its cultural and geo-political heteroge- age more strategic approaches to building neity and strengths in integrating across dis- interdisciplinary research programmes, and ciplines and countries, there is considerable aligning national and international efforts. scope for further enhancing our world-leading expertise in this area. Just as research typically exists in disciplinary silos, policy is often also discon- nected. Economic policy may not align well with environmental, climate-change, energy or health policies. Industries are also inherently narrow, with a focus, for ex-

21 ample, on food, water, energy, or biofuels. As much as interdisciplinary research is needed, it is also important to encourage innovation to bring a better balance between Investing in and the production of food (and its economic potential), its impact on and competition for aligning research water resources, and the sustainability of ecosystem services that are public goods. This will require greater sophistication in the Each country exists in a globalised world regulatory and policy environment. How- and is affected by drivers beyond its bor- ever, policy, to be effective also needs to ders, and therefore is a stakeholder in the be simple and transparent. This presents a global challenge; yet no single country has paradox. Research has an important role to the resources to fully research (and under- play to embrace the complexity of the food stand) the issues around global food and system, but it should also help find routes nutrition security. EU research investments, through the complexity to develop simple, such as Horizon 202068, are a crucial com- effective and joined-up policy. ponent of generating knowledge that is both of national and supra-national interest. An important part of sustainable economic Furthermore, significant value added can be development is via facilitating the “bioeco- gained by coordinating and aligning national nomy” — the emerging cross-cutting eco- and EU research strategies. Finding ways nomic sector that produces, transforms, to identify common research priorities on a and uses bio-based materials. This is inher- global scale is important to avoid competi- ently trans-disciplinary, but, if not well pro- tion with other countries globally, or wasted moted, it may generate new competition effort by not aligning similar investments or between biomass and food, and between missing strategically important knowledge production of bio-based material and other gaps on the assumption that “some other environmental services. However, there are country is doing that”. Within the EU, align- important synergies between technologies ment is brought about via the Joint Program- and creation of new links in and between ming Initiative69 (such as FACCE: Agricul- value chains (e.g., production of biochem- ture, Food Security and Climate Change and icals alongside production of biofuels, use HDHL: Healthy Diets for a Healthy Life) and for waste, bio-based products in chemi- ERA-NETs70, aided by the Standing Com- cal and building materials industries). The mittee on Agricultural Research (SCAR71). essence of such transformational strategies Internationally a range of other instruments are not only technological (new science) (e.g. Future Earth, OECD, G20-sponsored and behavioral (adjusted consumption), but projects) is available. Some member states also institutional, i.e., providing the regula- have innovative partnerships for align- tory framework and long-term incentives ing research and interdisciplinary analy- for industry and consumers, both at nation- sis across areas, such as the UK’s cross- al and international levels. Sharing new bio- government Global Food Security Pro- economy knowledge from science systems gramme. These mechanisms need to be of rich countries with developing countries developed at national and supra-nation- and support for adaptation to local circum- al scales (within the EU and between the stances is an opportunity for collective EU and partners in other regions) fully to action. gain collective value from each research investment.

22 “trusted intermediaries” to ensure end-user trust in the information. It may also include enhanced efforts for user-involved Transferring research research, such as developing networks of farmers involved in on-farm research and knowledge into innovation and aiding them in the role of knowledge champions72 for peer-to-peer innovation and practice learning.

The EU has already had significant impact Research creates the most societal benefit in developing the innovation culture. For ex- when the knowledge is used. Across ample, the European Technology Platform the world, governments grapple with the Food for Life73 was launched in 2005, and “valley of death” between research un- is an industry-led public-private partnership dertaken and its uptake into innovation aiming to foster research-into-innovation in and use. Facilitating the green innovation the food sector. economy requires building bridges across this valley. This may require greater linkage between stakeholders who are end-users and research providers. Such linkage needs to be encouraged throughout the research process (including in the co-design of research programme, and participation in Education steering research which can help provide and communication “pull” for the use of the knowledge). Although in stimulating knowledge-into- to the public use stakeholders are primarily identified as associated with industry, with the driver being economic growth arising from using Food is a wonderfully integrative issue as research. Civil society also has a stake it covers a broad range of academic and that may be non-financial, and may be applied issues, and promoting understanding associated with the development of social of the food system, and respect for food, rather than technological innovation. within school and university education would lead to positive societal outcomes. A recurrent challenge to the research and The challenges in meeting food and nu- innovation system is stimulating two-way trition security involve societal choices knowledge flow, allowing practitioners to about pathways to achieve goals (for exam- access knowledge for implementing the ple, there is increasing discussion about “best practice” and allowing researchers changing diets for public health and en- to understand and address practitioners’ vironmental benefits), and many of these needs. New research is not always need- choices require social innovation and atti- ed as what we already know can be a plat- tudinal change across society. This, in turn, form for innovation if the knowledge is eas- needs greater public understanding of ily available and accessible. We therefore the issues around food production, envi- need to enhance knowledge structures ronment, nutrition and health. and systems that allow data to be com- prehensively shared, from which decision tools can be developed, and information accessed by end-users. This may include developing “honest knowledge brokers” or

23 Where can the EU add most value?

The EU is a unique entity with coordina- There is scope for the further development tion in research, policy and practice across of mechanisms for enhancing research-in- a large number of countries, geo-climatic to-use, via: regimes and cultures. The EU hosts a huge human capital of researchers, with signifi- • Developing research prioritisation to en- cant amounts of world-leading expertise. sure that knowledge is generated across Many of the issues raised by the food and the complex global agri-food system that nutrition security challenge are inherent- leads to the most positive impacts for ly interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral and cul- the health of the public, environment and turally-entrenched. The significant Horizon economy. 2020 investments are aimed to undertake • Developing instruments for aligning com- strategic-and-policy-relevant research for plex research challenges across complex the benefit of the member states, and we societal needs that change across space already have a strong track record of coor- (within and between member states and dination between research providers, with- beyond). in and across countries, between research users across policy domains; indeed this is • Developing a sophisticated and inclusive an area where we are arguably world lead- innovation culture building on the Europe- ing. The EU therefore has an important role an Innovation Partnerships, within Europe to play in delivering research to overcome as well as beyond (e.g. in Africa). these challenges, but also showing interna- • Facilitating a sustainable bioeconomy and tional leadership in research and innovation sharing related science and institutional into use for economic and societal benefits: knowledge internationally. enhancing health and well-being, sustaina- • Developing channels of communication bility and generating economic growth and and knowledge exchange that are inclu- employment. sive and respectful of cultural complexity. • Developing models of governance for delivering sustainable agriculture and nutrition from local to supra-national scales.

24 Where can the EU Endnotes add most value?

LB-NA-27123-EN-N

The present discussion document gives an overview of where European research can add the most value in relation to tackling food and nutrition security challenges and points to areas where we can expand our research potential. Moreover, it highlights the need to develop a governance structure that will allow sharing of best practices and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and innovation to feed the planet sustainably. It should stimulate a global discussion with stakeholders and the general public, ultimately shaping a legacy for Expo 2015.

ISBN 978-92-79-45830-9 doi: 10.2788/521449