Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Biotechnology (FAB)

The primary aim in funding food, agriculture and biotechnology research under FP7 is to build a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (food, feed, forest, fisheries, agriculture, aquaculture, chemistry, etc.) by bringing together all industries and economic sectors that produce, manage and exploit biological resources and related services, supply or consumer industries, such as food, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, etc.

The FAB theme addresses the following needs:

• Growing demand for safer, healthier, higher quality food;
• Sustainable use and production of renewable bio-resources;
• Increasing risk of epizootic and zoonotic diseases and food related disorders;
• Threats to the sustainability and security of agricultural, aquaculture and fisheries production;
• Increasing demand for high quality food, taking into account animal welfare and rural and coastal contexts and response to specific dietary needs of consumers.

The theme is based on three activity areas:

• Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest and aquatic environments;
• Fork to farm: Food, health and well-being;
• Life Sciences and Biotechnology for sustainable non-food products and processes.

This theme has a budget of €1,935 million over the duration of FP7.

Contacts
Details of the team of UK National Contact Points (NCPs) for this theme:

Food Standards Agency
Agency's interests in relation to FP7, and on food safety and quality, diet & health, and consumer choice on food in the FP7 programmes
Paul Willetts              
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7276 8058;
e-mail: paul.willetts@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra):
Advice on Defra interests in relation to FP7 and on farming, food technology, fisheries, forestry and rural development in the FP6 programmes.
Laurie Broadbere:   
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7238 1628
e-mail: laurie.broadbere@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC):
Science support and support to the UK academic community and research institutes.
Tim Willis                  
Tel: +44 (0) 1793 413 247
e-mail: tim.willis@bbsrc.ac.uk

Beta Technology Ltd:
SMEs, industry, intermediaries
Advice and support to consumer and enforcement organisations with food interests
Information and advice on participating in FP7, including contracts, partner searching and proposal checks.
Tom Hudson         
Tel: 01302 322 633
e-mail: tom.hudson@betatechnology.co.uk