Innovation in EU agriculture

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament adopted in April 2016 an own-initiative report aimed at encouraging the European Commission to support agricultural innovation, which is considered necessary in order to increase both the productivity and sustainability of the sector.

Agricultural innovation, which refers to the incorporation of the latest technologies and research into farming practices, plays an important role in the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as it is one of the main priorities of its Rural Development pillar. Research on agricultural innovation and technologies is also promoted through the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIPAGRI) and can receive financial support from the Horizon 2020 programme.

Author: James McEldowney, with the contribution of Pieter Devuyst.

• Primary Source

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 16.06.16: Anthea McIntyre: 'We have to ensure all our farmers can benefit from technological innovation' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160613STO32058/

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