Online consultation for European Technology Platform "Food for Life" closes 1 December

Brussels, 3 November 2006

Marking important milestone in the development and rollout of the European Technology Platform (ETP) 'Food for Life,' in August CIAA launched an online web consultation questionnaire. The deadline for receipt of submissions is 1 December.

"The objective of this ETP 'Food for Life' online consultation is to help pinpoint the key challenges for ETP 'Food for Life' going forward vis-à-vis the original Vision Document, by gathering significant and qualitative input from a broad range of experts," said Peter van Bladeren, Chairman of the Board of ETP 'Food for Life.' "All this will feed into the creation of the ETP 'Food for Life' Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), due to be published in April 2007. The SRA will define themes and priorities for future research which we strongly suggest to be included in the priorities of the 7th Framework Programme and beyond in the area of food."

The ETP 'Food for Life' Vision for 2020 and beyond was originally launched in Brussels on 5 July 2005. Subsequently an initial Stakeholders' Strategic Research Agenda (SSRA) was developed, to which we are now asking for your input. A detailed Implementation Plan will be developed as part of the next step and this will be finalised by December 2007. This Implementation Plan itself will describe the research, training, education and dissemination needed to fulfil the vision and strategy behind ETP 'Food for Life.'

"With regard to the new online web consultation questionnaire, the current ETP SSRA along with the original ETP Vision Document together provide the basis for this consultation," said Jean Martin, President of CIAA. He added, "the web consultation process is open, transparent, balanced and inclusive. It ensures that the extensive consultation process now underway across Europe is objective and will ultimately reflect the interests and opportunities of stakeholders and interested experts."

The consultation process is now online and remains so until 1 December. Contributions are URGENTLY being sought. To take part, please go to http:///etp.ciaa.be/webconsultation/welco me.asp

All documents relating to the ETP 'Food for Life' are available for download via http://etp.ciaa.be