On 19 November, Europatat participated in an event entitled “Growing the Future Together: breeders and farmers underline the importance of plant breeding innovation for sustainable agriculture”, organised by Copa-Cogeca and Euroseeds, under the auspices of the Finnish Presidency of the Council. The key message of the event: Plant breeding innovation is essential to contribute to a sustainable agriculture production that fosters food security and healthy nutrition.
The different interventions (notably Council President Jari Leppä, Thorben Sprink from the Julius-Kühn-Institute in Germany and Peter Annas from the cooperative Lantmännen in Sweden) outlined the challenges and opportunities for plant breeding innovation in the EU and provided an occasion for an open and constructive dialogue on the potential such innovations hold for sustainable farming, healthier and more nutritious food production, and environmental performance. Improved plant varieties are the starting point of all food production. To stay competitive, Europe’s plant breeders need to be able to access the latest plant breeding tools that help develop new plants for farmers that better withstand pests and diseases, but also help mitigate climate change and meet consumer demands in terms of quality and healthy diets.
