Estonian expert and Head of Biorefining at Metrosert’s Applied Research Center Kaupo Reede led the drafting of an important EU-level development document on the production of plant proteins in the context of climate change. The document was approved by representatives of the European Commission and a group of experts on May 27–28 in Seville.
The document, entitled “Exchange and creation of knowledge for protein crops sustainability under climate change challenge,” was prepared by the European CAP Network, a cooperation network for the European Common Agricultural Policy, where Kaupo Reede heads the sub-working group on knowledge creation and sharing.
According to Reede, this is a significant step forward in promoting knowledge cooperation at the European level, with a focus on environmental protection, food security and competitiveness.
“Climate change poses increasing challenges for European food production, but also new opportunities. In order to ensure that the cultivation and development of protein crops is sustainable, we need to draw on knowledge, experience and cooperation – and that is precisely what this document aims to achieve,” said Reede.
The development document examines the critical role of knowledge exchange and skills development in promoting the production of protein crops in the European Union. As climate change increasingly affects agricultural systems, there is a growing need for innovative, sustainable and economically viable solutions. This document highlights the importance of establishing a systematic framework for sharing knowledge, promoting cooperation between stakeholders, and addressing challenges related to the production of protein crops.
The document stresses the importance of systematic knowledge transfer, cooperation between researchers, producers and processors, and international partnerships for the sustainable cultivation of protein crops. Practical recommendations include the idea of creating an easily accessible EU-wide database that would bring together information on suitable crops, soil conditions, risks and market trends, thereby supporting informed investment decisions and improving access to finance.
The development document makes proposals for both research and policy. The proposals also cover value chain-based cooperation, practical training and advisory measures for producers, strengthening innovation clusters, disseminating international best practices, and prioritizing long-term policy programs over short-term projects.
“The vision developed by our working group will provide a strong basis for smart and sustainable decision-making in the European Union in the field of protein crops, which are playing an increasingly important role both on people’s plates and as a substitute for animal protein,” said Kaupo Reede.
Read more about the European CAP network and focus groups: https://eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu/focus-groups-innovation-knowledge-exchange-and-eip-agri_en