FP5 Theme 1 - Key Action 5.1 - New and sustainable systems of production, including breeding methods and exploitation in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture...

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Background Information



5.1 New and sustainable systems of production, including breeding methods and exploitation in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, taking into account profitability, the sustainable management of resources, product quality and employment as well as animal health and welfare

5.1.1. Sustainable agriculture

Projects in sub-area 5.1.1 Sustainable Agriculture - Plant Systems

New and improved production and farming systems

Farming systems Research will focus on new and improved farming systems and their associated support tools, covering also new crops, encompassing the whole production process and which combine economic competitiveness, optimal use of inputs, consideration of animal welfare in stock farming systems, product safety and quality, protection and enhancement of the environment, landscape and habitats and rational use of soil and water, while considering employment.

Conventional farming systems: Crop and animal production systems giving optimal output of high quality products, while meeting the above mentioned characteristics.

Organic farming systems: Solutions for conversion to such systems and means to overcome existing obstacles; support to identification and control including traceability; market analysis; strategies for higher product value; development of technical-economic references and support to EU legislation.

Integrated farming systems: Production systems giving optimal output of high quality products, using as much as possible natural regulation mechanisms and products with improved genetic material where appropriate, thus reducing levels of chemical inputs.

In the context of these agricultural systems, there is also a need to better understand their environmental and resource impacts, as well as socio economic effects with comparison of different systems made. Indicators must be developed and/or improved to assess and monitor the progress made in improving farming systems. Potential negative effects need to be reduced and potential benefits enhanced, including where Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are involved.

Sustainable management of resources in agriculture: Focus on environment-friendly waste management and recycling and sustainable use of off-farm waste; reductions of emissions and pollutants of all kinds; the effect and fate of chemical inputs; the protection of landscape and natural areas in relation to agricultural production. Protecting and improving the genetic diversity in agriculture require improved methods of germ-plasm conservation and analysis along with a better co-ordination between EU and international levels; market analyses and identification of ways to derive income from genetic diversity conservation. The sustainable use of soil and water resources will be promoted through the prevention of erosion, salination and groundwater spoilage; agricultural systems adapted to extreme conditions and the development of innovative, and efficient irrigation systems, water re-use and recycling.

The diversification of agricultural production, including on farm use and supply to rural communities

Taking account of sustainable land management and conservation of biological diversity, new or existing agricultural raw materials for non-food purposes with significant development potential will be supported. Their production systems including storage and transport, need optimised techniques and methods, genetically improved plants, reduced negative impact and enhanced positive effects on environment, and ways to optimally integrate crops in production systems and rural communities. In a more general context, there is also a need to investigate how the supply of non-food raw material by the agricultural sector overall can be integrated with its food production function.

Plant health

In support of Community policy objectives, rapid, reliable, harmonised, cost effective, safe and environment friendly methods, tools and products, including by the use of biotechnology will be developed for the classification, forecasting, diagnosis, detection, control, inspection and, where appropriate eradication of quarantine organisms, harmful and difficult to control organisms and those which pose a threat to the free movement of goods and services. Special attention will also be paid to the determination of tolerance levels and methods to control the development of resistance of these organisms and to the investigation of the natural defences of plants and agro-ecosystems against harmful organisms. Enhanced protection methods including post-harvest treatments and application techniques to replace environmentally adverse protection methods will be sought, as well as improved harmonised procedures for evaluating plant protection products and techniques and alternative methods to replace the use of plant protection products withdrawn from the market or about to be withdrawn. Decision based systems at farm level, testing the robustness of predictive models and identifying constraints for their implementation will be supported, as well as studies on risk assessment, management of risk and cost analysis.

See also:
Work Programme
Theme 1 Key action 5. - Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and integrated development for rural areas
Theme 1 Key action 5. Area 2 - biological materials for non-food uses
Theme 1 Key action 5. Area 3 - Forestry and the integrated forestry-wood chain
Theme 1 Key Action 3 - The "Cell Factory"

Contacts

EC Scientific Officer

• European Commission DG Agriculture BELGIUM