Research in Agriculture: a Multidisciplinary Approach Is Fundamental

European Economic and Social Committee

Research in agriculture: a multidisciplinary approach is fundamental

Attended by EU Commissioner Janez POTOČNIK, the two-day conference on the role of research in the food, agriculture and health system called for a multidisciplinary approach: Agricultural research and food sciences should be combined with environmental, economic and social sciences.

The Conference's key question was how to make the knowledge base for the Food-Agriculture-Health system more future-proof, outward looking and responsive to demand than the classic agricultural research systems in the past. In order to achieve this goal it is fundamental to bring about a constructive multidisciplinary approach: Agricultural research and food sciences have to play an important role, but should be combined with environmental, economic and social sciences.

More and more citizens want to know what their food contains, where it has been produced and according to which standards. Agricultural research has to deliver those answers, according to European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez POTOČNIK. He sees European science as an engine for growth: its aim is to increase competitiveness and citizens' quality of life at the same time. Mr. POTOČNIK argued that “research in agriculture, with its economic, social and ecological aspects, can be a perfect example of how science can unlock potentials for human well-being.”

Gerd WOLF, EESC member from Group III, gave the Committee’s view on the conference theme, stating that agriculture has become a science-based technology, being supported by biology, chemistry and medicine. Even tough this is considered an immense achievement people no longer even realize how much they owe their quality of life to such progress. Instead, society is much more concerned with the potential risks and future threats. While this attitude is not entirely unjustified, it lacks a sense of proportion, according to Mr Wolf. After all, there is still scope – and need – for further progress and improvement.

Transparency vital to agricultural research

Involving the appropriate actors in research, as well as committing the right stakeholders and beneficiaries is one of the main challenges ahead. This implies disseminating information and finding an intelligent way to listen to a variety of people representing industry, producers, consumers, taxpayers and citizens in general. Education will be the key factor. Whatever approach is taken, research must be thought and delivered in an open and transparent way, having the principle of sustainability as a frame of reference.

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