Evidence submitted by the InCrops Enterprise Hub to the House of Lords year-long Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment EU Sub-Committee investigation has been commended. The report, published in July 2011, concludes that agricultural innovation must be at the heart of policy-making to respond to new challenges such as climate change, population growth, water scarcity and the need to encourage sustainable yield increases.
InCrops’ evidence emphasised the need for innovation and related research across agriculture in the EU, increased use of the existing research base by businesses, and effective knowledge transfer to businesses. It also highlighted the need for stimulation of entrepreneurial activity, exploitation of research for commercial gain and faster and more widespread take up of proven innovation within agriculture. Included in the report is InCrops suggestion of a model for the development of a transnational knowledge-transfer Innovation Network for European Agriculture, driven by business needs.
InCrops’ submission on a European Innovation Network for Agriculture is included as Appendix 6 to the report. The report includes information from InCrops about innovation in the use of algae and the EINA proposal. InCrops plans to build on this initial involvement and work closely with the House of Lords Committee on the development of the suggested network.
The report is accessible online here: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-environment-and-agriculture-sub-committee-d/inquiries/innovation-in-eu-agriculture/.