EUFruit, a new thematic network aiming to utilise European research potential to exploit new opportunities in the fresh produce category, has launched in Brussels.
The initiative is described as a Horizon 2020 European-funded project facilitating the access to knowledge and disseminating existing research and innovation potential for the benefit of the fresh produce sector and consumers.
The project brings together 21 partners from 12 different countries, with this consortium focusing on four crucial thematic areas to maximise the competiveness and innovation potential of the European fruit sector.
The four key areas in focus are new cultivar development, minimising residues on fruit and in the environment, optimising storage and fruit quality, and enhancing sustainable production systems.
EUFruit is coordinated by Michelle Williams, head of the Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark and current chair of the Board of EUFRIN, an informal network of university departments and research institutes for temperate fruit crops.
“I am very pleased that the project managed to gather so many different and experienced partners and successfully received the support of the European Commission,' said Williams. 'EUFruit will fill an important gap by enhancing research cooperation across Europe and will foster exchange of knowledge for the benefit of the fruit sector. In the project we are committed to build an efficient instrument to enhance the competitiveness of a very important segment of the agricultural economy of the European Union.'
With a total budget of €1.8m, the network aims to establish in the upcoming three years a systematic approach for knowledge gathering and dissemination, facilitated by harmonising methodologies for the scanning and synthesis of knowledge, and fostering the exchange of best practises and technologies reviewed by international experts in the four priority areas – securing a direct path for new knowledge and reducing the likelihood of repetition of research at a national level.
Both Jacques Dasque (secretary general of Areflh) and Philippe Binard (general delegate of Freshfel Europe) welcomed the launch of the project.
“EUFruit is promising to be an important tool for the fruit sector with ready access to up-to-date information on research to stimulate competitiveness, sustainability, quality and safety of fruit for the benefit of the supply chain and ultimately the consumers,' they stated.
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