EU research head calls for more food R&D
EU - A series of five EU-funded projects announced today in the UK are a sign that the bloc is moving to rebuild public confidence in its food industry and is willing to invest more in research and development for the sector.The €61.6m devoted to the projects are part of a plan by the European Commission to beef up investment in food research and development in the bloc.
The effort is part of a plan to get governments and the food industry to put more into R&D to help keep them competitive. Only about one per cent of the food industry's turnover is put into R&D compared to between three to five per cent in other industries.
Christian Patermann, the European Commission director general for research, told FoodProductionDaily.com that more money was needed for food R&D research if the EU's processors hoped to remain competitive. Patermann is also the Commission's director for biotechnology, agricultural and food.
He cited increasing competition from the US, China and India as an incentive for more development of products to meet consumers needs.
Source: FoodProductionDaily
12 October 2005
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