Commission sets out new strategy for agri-food research and innovation

The European Commission has adopted a new strategic approach aimed at strengthening research, innovation and market uptake in Europe’s agri-food sector. The Communication combines two linked frameworks, AgRI 2040 and Food 2040. Together, they are intended to guide future action in agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems.

The strategy places greater focus on the needs of users and on delivering practical results. It encourages cooperation between farmers, other end users, researchers and businesses to develop, test and demonstrate solutions in real-world conditions. Food safety remains a central consideration.

The Commission said the approach should also help startups, scaleups and small and medium-sized enterprises to bring promising innovations closer to the market.

A full value-chain perspective will be used to support companies from the research stage through to commercial deployment. The Commission also plans to encourage bottom-up innovation, including the validation of traditional knowledge and practitioner-led solutions. Farmers are expected to play a role in testing innovations in different regions.

The strategic approach supports broader EU policy goals, including the Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Startup and Scaleup Strategy and the Strategy for European Life Sciences. It also complements the EU Bioeconomy Strategy by promoting innovation and sustainable value creation across the agri-food sector.

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