Implementing the Strategic Research Agenda for plant research

The next step in the strategic process initiated in 2003 is the implementation of the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA).The Plant ETP works with a focus on promoting and advocating strategic research and internationally competitive research. Innovation and education have become important tasks since the report of the ETPs expert group set up to define the future role of ETPs by the European Commission in 2009 and the portofolio for Research and Innovation of the new Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

'Plants for the Future' ETP uses various instruments at European and national level in order to implement the SRA, integrate it into national and European research and innovation strategies, promote the development of national platforms, and enhance the public profile of plant sciences. In addition, instruments such as the Lead Market Initiative (LMI), the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and the possibility to use structural and social funds, are considered.

To accomplish its goals, Plant ETP works in a wider web of collaboration with other technology platforms and in particular those related to the Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE). Please click here for additional information. In addition, Plant ETP is developing closer collaboration with related European Research Area networks, such as the ERA-NET on Plant Genomics, Plant KBBE, and more distant technology platforms like the ETP for the Future of Textiles and Clothing, the Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform or the ETP on Advanced Engineering Materials and Technologies.

Plant ETP will continue its efforts to integrate plant sciences with emerging European research and innovation strategies. Plant ETP will use and urge to direct new financial instruments, encourage the development of national plant technology platforms and become the reference point for the agricultural and plant-based sectors.

Plant ETP has recently identified (High-Level Conference 17 May 2011) some 10 areas for improvement that include strategic public research, policies on new breeding technologies and protection of innovation, and measures to promote knowledge transfer. Central appears the need for the agricultural sector to improve its dialogues on these topics with society and policy makers.