The primary aim of funding the 'Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology' research theme under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is to build a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE).
The KBBE will play an important role in a global economy, where knowledge is the best way to increase productivity and competitiveness and improve our quality of life, while protecting our environment and social model.
KBBE addresses the following needs:
- growing demand for safer, healthier, higher quality food,
- sustainable use and production of renewable bio-resources,
- increasing risk of epizootic and zoonotic diseases and food related disorders,
- sustainability and security of agricultural, aquaculture and fisheries production,
- increasing demand for high quality food, taking into account animal welfare and rural and coastal contexts and response to specific dietary needs of consumers.
The EU Member States have earmarked more than € 1.9 billion for funding this theme over the duration of FP7.
The 'Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology' theme is built around three major activities':
- sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest and aquatic environments,
- fork to farm: Food (including seafood), health and well-being,
- life sciences, biotechnology and biochemistry for sustainable non-food products and processes.
