An online consultation on how science and innovation can help the EU to ensure the safe, nutritious, sufficient and sustainable supply of food globally has been launched today by the European Commission.
Part of the Milan-based EXPO2015: Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, which runs from May 1 to October 31, the new consultation is designed to “underpin the debate on a future research agenda to help tackle global food and nutrition security challenges”.
“It focuses on the areas where the EU’s research efforts can have the strongest impact,” said the EC. “This includes looking at how to improve public health through nutrition, increase food safety and quality, reduce food loss and waste, make rural development more sustainable, increase agricultural yields through sustainable intensification, as well as how to better understand food markets and increase access to food for people around the world.”
EXPO2015 chairman, and former EC farm commissioner, Franz Fischler, commented: “Science and innovation are crucial if we are to guarantee access to safe and nutritious food for all, produced in a sustainable way. We have worked hard to ensure that the Expo has a strong scientific dimension. I hope that the consultation and the discussion paper will steer a global debate.”
The Milan event is expected to attract around 20 million visitors from more than 145 countries and international organisations during its six-month programme.
