
PRESS RELEASE
Expo Milano: Brazil and EU agree organic innovation key to solving today’s challenges
MILAN, 19 October 2015 – The Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – MCTI – and the European Technology Platform of Organic Food and Farming Research and Innovation – TP Organics – signed a memorandum of understanding in order to promote innovation and enhance mutual learning for organic farming and agroecology in the EU and Brazil.
“Organic farming and agroecology are proving to be key contributors to solving today’s societal challenges such as ‘Zero Hunger’. Increasing support for organic research and innovation will multiply the impact of organic production on global food security while maintaining ecosystem services”. Said Eduardo Cuoco, head of the TP Organics secretariat. “We are very proud to have been recognised as a core partner to promote research, innovation and development of agroecology and organic farming in Brazil.”
“This sends a strong message to the world: Brazil, a major a world player has announced that organic provides solutions to the major challenges. Our cooperation will pave the way for mutual learning and innovation in organic production in both regions,” added Marco Schlüter, Director of IFOAM EU and member of the TP Organics Steering Committee.
“We want to benefit from the extensive knowledge and experience of EU organic stakeholders to help our farmers to reduce their dependency on agro-industrial inputs and to enable them to create stable livelihoods”, stated Eron Bezerra, State Secretary for social inclusion of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. “I am convinced that organic production is not only an important means to improve the sustainability of our food production, but will also help to provide better income for our producers and other stakeholders in rural areas”.
Background information
On October 16, MCTI and TP Organics signed a memorandum of understanding to start cooperating on nutrition security, agroecology and organic food systems. The signature ceremony took place at Milan EXPO 2015 during the World Food Day. A large delegation attended the signature ceremony, including Jose Caetano Minchillo, President of the Bank of Brazil Foundation; Danniel Gobbi from the Brazilian Ministry Agricultural Development; Alexandra Vieira, General Coordinator of Food Security at MCTI; and Guilherme Wiedman, Coordinator of the Technology for Sustainable Cities Program also at MCTI.
For more information please contact Eduardo Cuoco, +39 328 417 8783, [log in to unmask]
TP Organics is the European Technology Platform (ETP) for Organic Food and Farming. Believing that research & innovation is crucial for making Europe’s agriculture more sustainable, TP Organics advocates for more research funding benefiting organic and agroecological approaches. The platform unites large companies, small & medium enterprises, researchers, farmers, consumers and civil society organisations active in the organic value chain from production, input & supply, to food processing, marketing and consumption. TP Organics was recognised as a European Technology Platform by the European Commission in 2013 - www.tporganics.eu
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