[REPONSE] Parlement européen, Question avec demande de réponse écrite E-005665/2021 de Daniel Buda (PPE) du 21 décembre 2021 - Soutien de la recherche technologique dans l’agriculture

Niveau juridique : Union européenne

Texte de la question :

« Over the last decade, traditional farming has been facing, in addition to the problems presented by nature, some problems with human causes. Climate change, plant stress, and the loss of ecological balance due to pollution have created difficulties for European farmers in terms of profitability, investment and risk. To overcome certain challenges, European farmers need support from technological research in the field so that solutions to these new problems can be found.

Natural phenomena affecting agriculture include the increase in temperatures, vegetation fires, and the threat of extinction to the pollinating insects needed to ensure the life cycle of plants. Advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment are vitally needed if we are to protect traditional agriculture. Therefore, the solution to these problems is to support investment in the research and development of new technologies that are the key to modernising agriculture.

By what mechanisms does the European Commission intend to support investment in the research and development of new technologies in agriculture ? »

Réponse donnée par M Wojciechowski au nom de la Commission européenne le 17 février 2022 :

« Research and innovation (R&I) are key to support farmers in addressing sustainability challenges. The Commission has implemented a long-term strategic approach to EU agricultural R&I (1) through the framework Programme for R&I (2).

Under Horizon Europe, around EUR 9 billion will be invested under Cluster 6 to support R&I in food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment. In the Work Programme 2021-22 (3) a high share of funding is dedicated to innovation in sustainable farming, including new technologies (4).

Horizon works in synergy with the common agricultural policy (CAP) : Horizon generates knowledge and innovative solutions, which the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) circulates and probes in local innovation projects financed by rural development programmes.

Around 300 Horizon and 2500 EIP-AGRI projects work on solutions to support sustainable agriculture. The Commission works with Member States to promote Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) fostering knowledge exchange, innovation and advice.

Under the Digital Europe Programme, digital innovation hubs and testing and experimentation facilities for artificial intelligence will be supported to boost digitalisation of the agri-food sector. Innovation in agriculture is also driven by regional smart specialisation strategies funded by the Regional Development Fund.

Technical and digital infrastructure relevant to agricultural R&I is also supported by the Recovery and Resilience and the Connecting Europe Facilities. »

(1) ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/news/final-paper-strategic-approach-eu-agricultural-research-and-innovation

(2) Former Horizon 2020 and current Horizon Europe : ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en

(3) ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2021-2022/wp-9-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_horizon-2021-2022_en.pdf

(4) See e.g. the topic on digital technologies for small farms, ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl6-2022-farm2fork-02-04-two-stage

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