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| 12 jan 2016 |
16:28 |
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Copa and Cogeca underline importance of innovation in EU agriculture sector
Copa and Cogeca underlined the importance of innovation in the EU agriculture sector to remain competitive and sustainable in order to meet growing world food demand using limited resources at a major event organized by Politico in Brussels today.
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Speaking in a debate with EU Commission Deputy Director-General for the Food Chain Ladislav Miko, Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said “The key words in the 21st century are producing more with less, to respond to growing demand. To achieve this, research and innovation must be encouraged and investment stepped up. In particular, innovation in crop production is vital. We need active ingredients to put in farmers tool box to ensure we have a competitive, sustainable sector capable of meeting rising demand. Plant protection products are being phased out without alternative solutions. This was the case with the neonicotinoid seed treatment ban, which resulted in a big drop in EU rapeseed production this year. Existing alternatives are more difficult to apply and require two applications. Action must be stepped up. We need legal certainty to encourage innovation and to develop new products and bring them to the market. Farmers also need to be involved in the process to bring practical solutions to the market and ensure Integrated Pest Management”.
The event “”Innovative Agriculture: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable and Competitive Food Production” was organised by Politico and presented by the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) as part of the Hungary for Change initiative, bringing together leading experts from industry and the EU institutions to ensure a vibrant agriculture sector in the future.
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