Plants for the Future

🌟 Last week, we published our report on European Public Investment Trends in Plant Breeding R&I 🌱 ➡️ Swipe through the post below to find key highlights and insights from the report, covering trends in funding, challenges to project continuity, and recommendations for stronger support in plant breeding R&I. 📊 While overall #HorizonEurope’s total funding has increased, the share dedicated to plant breeding R&I has only seen modest growth, projected at just 9% by Horizon Europe’s end. This is despite a substantial 277% increase in the Agrifood subprogramme—the main source of plant breeding R&I funding—indicating a declining share allocated specifically for plant breeding R&I within overall FP funding. 📄 For the full report and detailed analysis, head to the link ➡ https://lnkd.in/djf2S9Hd EU Science, Research and Innovation

📄 The year has come with the release of several key documents impacting European agriculture. But what do they mean for the sector? In this summary post, we highlight key insights from three major publications: The European Commission’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture, the 2025 Commission Work Programme, and the EU Competitiveness Compass. These documents outline strategies for sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness - addressing challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, and regulatory frameworks for innovative technologies like NGTs. 🌱 Swipe through for the highlights! 👉 ⬇️ Download the post for links to the reports.

📢 We Support #NGTs and we want the EU to support them too! 🌱  This week, we're keeping the momentum going in our #ISupportNGTs campaign by showcasing some of the people calling for progress on the EU NGT legislation. 🌟 You can also show your support by posting your own picture or video, using #ISupportNGTs, and tagging us!

📢 New Press Release Alert! The European Commission has outlined its Vision for the Future of Agriculture, recognising the vital role of research, innovation, and plant breeding innovations in building more sustainable, resilient, and competitive agri-food systems. 🌱🌍 At Plants for the Future, we particularly welcome the acknowledgment of the importance of R&I to support the transition towards more sustainable agri-food systems. We also strongly support the emphasis on public-private partnerships to ensure that research outcomes are fully leveraged for the benefit of agri-food stakeholders, the environment, and society. We are pleased to see NGTs recognised as an important tool for the future. However, we miss a recognition that plant breeding, in general, is an essential part of ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our agri-food systems. It has always been the heart of agriculture, shaping our food, feed, and raw materials, and remains a fundamental pillar of the circular bioeconomy. 🔗 Read our full press release here: https://lnkd.in/eyP6k9ju

🌱 What is plant breeding, and why does it matter? This week, we’re kicking off a new #PlantasticDiscoveries sub-series all about #plantbreeding! We’re going back to the basics: exploring what plant breeding is and how it helps tackle challenges across the entire agri-food value chain. 🌾 For thousands of years, agriculture has relied on improving plants to better suit our needs. What began with early farmers selecting the best-performing crops has evolved into a science-driven process that helps develop more resilient and productive crops. 🔬 From climate change to food security, plant breeding plays a crucial role in shaping the future of agriculture. In this series, we’ll explore the biggest challenges our agri-food systems face, and how plant breeding is part of the solution. ➡️ Swipe through to learn more and stay tuned as we dive deeper into plant breeding’s impact in the coming weeks! 💬 Did we miss any key challenges? Let us know in the comments! 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 #𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦! 🌾✨

👩🔬GeneBEcon #WomenInScience 💡Bàrbara Levering, Research & Communications Officer at Plants for the Future, began her academic journey studying astronomy, eventually completing a master’s degree in astronomy and science communication. This experience made her realise the significant disconnect that often exists between science and society. Motivated to bridge this gap, she pursued a career in science communication and public engagement, gradually developing a deep interest in topics like the bioeconomy, plant science, and the complexities that arise when policymaking intersects with research.   🌈 She strongly believes that although women and queer people in STEMM may face more barriers, it is crucial to follow one’s passions. It’s essential that STEMM reflects the diversity of the world, as people everywhere are interested in science. Within GeneBEcon, Plant ETP is involved in addressing the governance options for the use of NGTs in the European Union, as well as communication and exploitation of project results. #IDWGS

🚨 Plants for the Future deplores the recent attack on NGT grapevines 🍇   We are deeply concerned by the recent destruction of grapevines in San Floriano Valpolicella, developed using New Genomic Techniques (#NGTs) to improve fungal resistance and reduce fungicide use, an innovation designed to support more sustainable agricultural practices. These grapevines were part of field trials conducted by researchers at the University of Verona. 🗣️ Science should be met with debate, not destruction. Research is essential for developing better crops that support farmers, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen European agriculture. Acts like this set back the progress needed to build more sustainable agri-food systems. 

📢 𝗪𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 #NGTs 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗧𝗼𝗼! 🌱 People across sectors are standing up for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) and calling for the EU to move the NGT legislation forward. 🌟 You can also show your support by posting your own video, using #ISupportNGTs, and tagging us! Thanks for sharing your voice this week, Kerstin Schlemmer, Maria Manuela Rigano, Benoit Rose, Wouter Hoofd, Line Bach Christensen, Muriel Archipiano, Anne van Gastel, Anja Matzk, Séverine JEANNEAU, Ariane Voyatzakis, jared onsando 👏

👩🔬GeneBEcon #WomenInScience 🌿Amrit Kaur Nanda, Executive Manager of Plants for the Future (Plant ETP), has always been interested in science and biology and knew very early on that she wanted to explore a career in research. During her Bachelor and Master studies, the fascinating world of plants quickly pulled her in. 🤩Amrit is captivated by how many amazing things plants can do and is convinced that they also play an essential role in our society, not just feeding us, but also providing us with building materials, energy and many other indispensable things. 📢Within GeneBEcon, Plant ETP is involved in addressing the governance options for the use of NGTs in the European Union, as well as communication and exploitation of project results. #IDWGS

📢 𝗪𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 #NGTs 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗧𝗼𝗼! 🌱 We have called upon people to show their support for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) and to see the EU NGT legislation move forward. 🌟 Show your support by posting your own video, using #ISupportNGTs, and tagging us! Thanks for sharing your voice, Claudine Razanaboahirana, Monique van Vegchel, Araceli Díaz Perales, Hinrich Harling, Béatrice D., Aime Jaskolowski, David Spencer, Sébastien Paque, DAFNAE - Dip. di Agronomia, Animali, Alimenti, Risorse naturali e Ambiente - UniPD, Nunzio D'Agostino, Cédric Riboulet, Amrit Kaur Nanda, Petra Jorasch (PhD), Maria Dellino and Maarten Stuiver 🙌