G. PAILLOTIN (ED.

)
European Agricultural Research in the 21st Century
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg GmbH
G. PAILLOTIN (En.)

European Agricultural Research

in the 21st Century
Which Innovations Will Contribute Most to the Quality of Life,
Food and Agriculture?
Pal ais de I'Europe, Strasbourg, France 28-29 November 1996

With 35 Figures and 37 Tables

Springer
G. PAILLOTIN
INRA
147 rue de l'Universite
75007 Paris
France

ISBN 978-3-662-03694-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Recherche agronomique europeenne dans le monde du 2le siecle. English: European agricultura[ research in the 2lst cen-
tury Guy Paillotin (ed.). p. cm. Papers from a seminar he1d at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Nov. 28-29, 1996.
"INRA editions." Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-3-662-03694-5 ISBN 978-3-662-03692-1 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-03692-1 1. Agriculture-Research-Europe-
Congresses. 1. Paillotin, Guy. II. Institut national de la recherche agronomique (France) III. Title. S542.E8R4313 1998
630'.7204-DC21 98-24947 CIP

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CONTENTS

The Strasbourg Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IX

PLENARY SESSION

Foreword
Guy Paillotin ...................................................................2

The New International Economic Context for European Agricultural Research

Joachim von Braun ..............................................................5

TOMORROW'S DIET

Workshop 1 - Decisive Elements in the Consumer's Choice

Trends in Food Consumption in the European Union: Towards a Euro Diet?

Bruce Traill ................................................................... 14

Consumer Choices: Tastes, Preferences, Constraints

Pierre Combris ................................................................20

Effects of Media Discourse and Marketing

Francesco Bisceglia ............................................................ .30

Influence of Media and Marketing

Chantal Jacquet ............................................................... .34

Workshop 2 - Quality in the Food Sector

The Components of Quality

Gianfranco Valfre .............................................................. 37

The Strategy of the Food Industry

Christiane Mercier ..............................................................43

v
Quality from a Consumer's Perspective
Arie van Genderen ..............................................................48

Application of Biotechnology in the Food Industry

Hans Nieuwenhuis ..............................................................53

The Role of Public Authorities at the National and International Level

Joachim Heine ................................................................. 60

Workshop 3- Diet, Well-Being and Health

Food Choice and Health
Pierre Louisot ................................................................. 67

How Functional Foods in the Diet Contribute to Health

Marcel Roberfroid ..............................................................71

Food Safety
Jean-Franrois Girard ...........................................................76

AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AREAS

Workshop la -Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Constraints

Water Management for Agriculture
Carlos Tio .................................................................... 80

Soil Management and Agriculture

Christian de Kimpe ............................................................. 84

Man and Biodiversity

Robert Barbault ................................................................92

Workshop lb - Production Improvement

The Genetic Control of Plant Parasites: ,Un plat de resistance"
Ian R. Crute .................................................................. 102

Objectives and Challenges in Improving Biological Material for Animal Breeding

Pascal L. Leroy ............................................................... 114

VI
Integrated Agriculture
Jean Thiault ................................................. ................. 123

Improvements in Production Systems

Dieter Smidt ................................................. ................. 130

Workshop 2 - Product Diversification

Non-Food Production: Economic, Environmental and Land Use Aspects
Philippe Chartier ................................................. ............. 138

Non-Food Production: Technological and Scientific Bottlenecks,

The Role of Bioenergy in Europe's Energy Strategies
Wolfgang Palz ................................................. ............... 146

Forest and Agroforestry

Jan-Erik Hallgren ................................................. ............ 165

Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture Production in Europe

Robin L. Welcomme ................................................. ........... 174

Workshop 3 -Agriculture as Part of Rural and Regional Development

The Diversity of Rural Space and its Typologies
Elena Saracenono ................................................. ............ 190

Agriculture at the Local and Regional Level

Andre Valadier ................................................. ............... 207

Amenities in Rural Areas: Responding to a New Social Demand

Markus F. Hofreither ................................................. .......... 209

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND SOCIETY

Workshop 1 - Research, Technological Change and Economic Development

Lessons from a Macro-Historical Analysis: The Future of European Agricultural Research
Ad M. van der Woude ................................................. .......... 217

Agricultural Research and Technical Change in Agriculture: Lessons from Microeconomic Studies
Robert E. Evenson .......... -. ................................................. . 223

VII
The Agro-Food Industry and Innovation
Christian Godde ................................................. .............. 250

Agricultural Research in France. A Useful Tool in Effective, Pervasive Agriculture

Maurice Rigaud ................................................. .............. 254

Workshop 2 - The Evolution of Partnerships

First Panel Discussion: Scientific and Industrial Partnerships

Michel Callan, on behalf of Jean Gabolde ........................................... 260

Second Panel Discussion: Future Relations Between Agricultural Research

and Agricultural Extension Services
Michel SEBILLOTE ................................................. ............. 265

Workshop 3 - Research and Society: Scientific Expertise and Public Decisions

Why are Public Organisations Needed for Agronomic Research?
Patrick Cohendet, Pierre-Benoit Joly ............................................... 270

Third Panel Discussion: Scientific Expertise and Public Decision

Noelle Lenoir ................................................. ................ 279

Scientific Appraisals: The Organisation and Responsibility of Experts

Marie-Angele Hermitte ................................................. ......... 287

PLENARY SESSION

European Agricultural Research, World Food Situation and Development.

Agricultural Research after the World Food Summit
Stein W. Bie ................................................. ................. 305

European Agricultural Research, World Food Situation and Development

Michel Petit ................................................. ................. 313

Europe and Agricultural Research for Development

Alain Darthenucq ................................................. ............. 321

Closing Speech
Fran(:ois d'Aubert ................................................. ............ 329

VIII
 THE STRASBOURG DECLARATION

The participants to the Strasbourg Symposium,

members of European public and private research organisations, representatives of

producers, companies in the food industry, consumer organisations and environmental
associations, after examining European agricultural research and the problems it has to face
on the eve of the 21st century, after stating and comparing their viewpoints, hereby adopt the
following declaration:

1 - Feeding humanity without depleting natural resources

The individual's right to food, and the satisfaction of worJd food requirements are
priorities to which research on agriculture and food must respond. However, the prospects of
population growth and climatic change are making the availability of natural resources such
as water, arable soils, forests, and genetic diversity, a major concern. For the 21st century it is
essential to strengthen sustainable production systems.

European research on agriculture, foods, and the quality of life should enable
Europe to contribute to the growth and quality improvement of world food production, all the
while protecting natural resources and the environment. It must strive to become more
competitive without destabilising markets. Further, it must facilitate access to technology and
strengthen cooperation with countries where there are problems of malnutrition by
contributing to the development of their research systems.

2 - Improving the management of natural, cultivated and forest lands, and preserving
diversity

During the next century the peoples of Europe will be increasingly attentive to
sustainable management of rural lands. The diversity of these lands, production systems, and
food consumption habits are part of the cultural heritage of European citizens and contribute
to the quality of their living conditions.

European research on agriculture, foods, and the quality of life preserve and
optimise the diversity of geographical, ecological, and cultural conditions in Europe,
especially considering the prospects of an enlarged European Union.

3 - Supporting job creation through the diversification of productions and activities

It is imperative to create jobs in the food sector and in rural areas. Innovation, in
particular in the small- and medium- size enterprises, and diversification into (food)
production with higher added value, non-food productions and non-agricultural activities will
contribute to these goals.

European research on agriculture, foods, and the quality of life should be based on
appropriate partnerships with producers, industry, and local and regional authorities to
contribute to job creation through the diversification of productions and activities both within
and outside of agriculture.

4 - Improving quality and guaranteeing food security

Consumers increasingly seek high quality and healthy foods. Food security is
absolutely essential. Consumers must be able to trust the products which they buy, and be
informed in keeping with their expectations (composition, origin, etc.).

European research on agriculture, foods, and the quality of life must contribute to
improving the quality, safety, and nutritional value of food products. Reference to scientific
knowledge should be increased. All the parties involved in this industry must show
cooperation and solidarity.

5 - Developing the use of biotechnologies

The application of biotechnology to agriculture and food holds great promise and
will advance progress in understanding the living environment, and innovations in processes
and productions, but in Europe public opinion shows some concern about these new
technologies.

European research on agriculture, foods, and the quality of life must help those in
positions of responsibility to make scientifically informed decisions. Its duty is to shed light on
discussions on technological choices, the benefits thereof, and potential risks by providing
validated knowledge. It must contribute actively to educating the public, and to informing and
engaging a dialogue with the media, the consumers, and the citizens.

6 - Enhancing the role of researchers as experts by providing them with the means to
be independent

Scientific research on agriculture, foods and the quality of life concerns the citizens
in their daily life. Faced with problems of society, researchers are increasingly solicited to
provide their expert opinions in various situations: commercial conflicts, public health
problems, differences of opinion, risk evaluation, etc.

European researchers must discharge their role as experts with adequate means and
complete independence. They must be attentive to questions of ethics. It is their duty to show
vigilance and responsibility towards the socio-economic players, the public authorities, and
the citizens.
 This colloquium was supported by the European Commission, Fruit d'Or
Recherche and Rhone-Poulenc

~ RHONE-POULENC
Rh6ne-f'oulenc Secteur AGRO
RhOne-f'oulenc AGRO France
RhOne-f'oulenc Animal Nutrilion
RhOne-f'oulenc Alimenloire
Rh6ne M6rieux

The Strasbourg City Council, the Regional Alsace Council, the European
Council, the European Parliament, the association of Cerealiers de France -
Unigrains, Pernod-Ricard, Roquette and the news paper "Les Dernieres
Nouvelles d'Alsace also contribued to the success of this colloquium
FOREWORD

GUY PAILLOTIN
President of INRA
147, rue de I'Universite
F-75007 PARIS, France

During the last fifty years, agricultural research has been keeping apace of the deep human and
technological changes in the agriculture and food sectors.

Agricultural research, all the while, has also been going through profound transformation as it
strived towards new objectives: after production came the transformation of agricultural and food
products, food security, consumption, ecological issues and land use planning. Research has reached
new heights in biology and is exploring other disciplines. It is forever changing, as are the needs of
society.

The first change must be considered together with the success of agricultural research which
was designed in the midd1e of the 20th century at the national level Spurred, as it was, by dynamic
incentive policies, research generated large yield increases for markets that were too narrow. Since that
time, Europe has developed its agriculture so mightily that the continent is too small to absorb its
enormous agricultural potential.

The recent Uruguay Round agreements open new prospects for a global economy hitherto
governed by protectionist policies that allowed costly destruction of surplus output to coexist with
malnutrition in certain parts of the world. Trade in the agriculture and food sector is becoming more
liberal In this new context, research should help farmers and agro-food industries find new competitive
advantages. This is the overriding challenge to European agricultural research which has often
contributed to increasing production but has paid little attention to outlets and markets.

The second challenge concerns the new demands from consumers and members of developed
societies. The voice of these demands is especially loud because, serendipitously, the fear of food
shortage has disappeared, as we can see from the emphasis placed on:
the desire for better environmental protection;
preference for high quality products, with information on their origin and conditions of
production;
health in relation to the consumer's diet;
respect for certain ethics such as the well-being of farm animals.

2
 Europeans are returning to what's natural and are eyeing scientific progress more critically.
The recent bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis, the debates on genetically modified organisms and
on cloning stand out as evidence that goes well beyond any borders.

Agricultural research is being put to question, and must find the right answers.

What foods will we eat tomorrow? How can quantitative and qualitative food requirements be
met? How can agriculture be productive without mismanaging natural resources and lands? How can
we give European agricultural research the strength and efficiency needed to meet these challenges?
What guidance can be given to partnerships and scientific cooperation? How can we increase people's
confidence in research and innovation?

These are the main questions discussed at the seminar European Agricultural Research in the
World of the 21st Century: which innovations will contribute most to the quality of life, food and
agriculture?; organised by INRA at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 28 and 29 November
1996 to commemorate its fiftieth anniversary.

For two days, 400 participants with an interest in research discussed these issues. The
participants included scientists from both the public and private sector, academics, public and private
research administrators, politicians, government officials, and leaders from agricultural organisations,
agro-industries and various associations.

The seminar brought together representatives from close to thirty countries, including most of
Europe, North America, Japan, Africa, and the major international organisations such as FAO, World
Bank and the European Commission.

It ended with the adoption of the Strasbourg Declaration>>, a joint statement reasserting the
importance of agricultural research, foods and the quality of life for the 21st century. Although many
different opinions were expressed, six major points were recommended as priorities for European
research. They can be referred to as a common framework for the future and equip INRA to start a
preemptive review that will be followed through by its partners. Our second rendez-vous will be
organised by DLO in 1998 in the Netherlands.

This event could not have taken place without the efforts of the scientific committee and the
organising committee, which brought us together to discuss these very vital issues for the future of
agricultural research and for society. I would like to express our gratitude for their remarkable work.

We are also obliged to the European Commission for the support it has given us via its
directorate general for agriculture, DG VI, and its directorate general for research and technological
development, DG XII.

I would also like to thank two companies that have been with us since we first started planning
the seminar: Fruit d'Or Recherche-Astra Calve and Rh6ne Poulenc which participated via its
subsidiaries, Rh6ne-Poulenc secteur Agro, Rh6ne-Poulenc Agro France, Rh6ne-Poulenc Animal

3
Nutrition, Rh6ne-Poulenc Food Additives. We owe them a lot. Without them, the seminar could not
have taken place.

Several other institutions and partners gave us support in a variety of ways. There was the city
of Strasbourg, the Regional Council of Alsace, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the
Cerealiers de France-Unigrains, Pemod-Ricard, Ets Roquette and the newspaper, les Demeres
Nouvelles d'Alsace. I wish to acknowledge them all.