merrion street

Ann Phelan, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, addressed the All-Island Horizon 2020 Conference on the newly published research agenda for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Marine and the Rural Economy.

The Conference was jointly hosted by The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland and InterTrade Ireland.

Speaking at the event Minister Phelan said “Research and Innovation is vital for the competitiveness and productivity of agri-food businesses and to stimulate a Rural Renaissance. The Horizon 2020 - Societal Challenge-2 Work Programme must strive to bring together businesses, rural communities and researchers to provide innovation opportunities for the rural economy. It also offers important opportunities for North –South collaboration”.

The conference was attended by agri-food and marine businesses, rural economy based organisations and researchers. One of the key themes was the necessity to use an approach that will see businesses, farmers and rural organisations combining to address their local needs and challenges.
Concluding Minister Phelan said “we continue to invest heavily in research and innovation to support our academic institutions and also, in particular, strive to increase the levels of private sector investment and the input of regionally and locally based groups so as to build a prosperous rural economy”.

Note to the Editors:
In October 2015 the 2016-17 Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 work programme was launched. This All-Island event outlined the relevant EU research and innovation policies as well providing an insight into the experiences of key Horizon 2020 stakeholders like the European Commission, Horizon 2020 expert evaluators, successful coordinators and North South collaboration.
1. 2016-2017 Societal Challenge 2 Work Programme: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2016_2017/main/h2020-wp1617-food_en.pdf
2. Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy: http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/food-security-sustainable-agriculture-and-forestry-marine-maritime-and-inland-water
3. European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture: http://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en