On 8 September 2026, the European Commission adopted a Communication on a new Strategic Approach to Research and Innovation for the EU agri-food sector. The initiative aims to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of European agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems.
The new strategy builds on the experience gained through the 2016 strategic approach to EU agricultural research and innovation and the Food 2030 framework, while supporting the objectives of the Vision for Agriculture and Food and the Strategy for European Life Sciences. Feedback gathered from stakeholders pointed to several areas where the EU could improve its approach, including the transition from research to application, the responsiveness to users’ needs, and the monitoring and governance of innovation activities.
Against this background, the new approach seeks to provide a more coordinated framework for EU research and innovation across the agri-food sector, helping to address challenges such as climate change, resource constraints, geopolitical instability and global competition.
Bringing innovation closer to the market
A central objective is to strengthen the link between research, innovation and market uptake, helping to turn scientific advances into practical solutions. Greater emphasis will be placed on cooperation between researchers, businesses, startups, SMEs, public authorities and end users, with innovative solutions being developed and tested in real-world settings.
The Commission also aims to facilitate the scaling-up of promising innovations and support startups, scaleups and SMEs in bringing new technologies, products and business models to the market. In this way, European research and innovation should contribute more directly to the needs of farmers, foresters, rural communities, food businesses and consumers.
Two complementary frameworks: AgRI 2040 and Food 2040
This new approach is structured around two complementary frameworks.
AgRI 2040 provides an overarching framework for research and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas, with eight preliminary areas of action reflecting priorities identified through the Vision for Agriculture and Food. These priorities cover resilient agricultural and forestry systems, rural development, digitalisation and innovation, and stronger agri-food value chains.
Food 2040, meanwhile, addresses the broader food system, with priorities including sustainable diets, resource efficiency, consumer empowerment, innovation and new business models, and the development of aquatic food systems.
Across both frameworks, the Commission identifies six common areas of focus, covering competitiveness and entrepreneurship, food security and resilience, natural resources and circularity, food and feed safety and health, fairness, and international cooperation.
Next steps
Implementation will take place through the Horizon Europe 2028–2034 programme and relevant components of the future European Competitiveness Fund. The next milestone to mark on the calendar is the EU AgRI 2040 Conference, “Future-proofing EU Agri-Food through research and innovation”, which will bring stakeholders together in Brussels on 24–25 September 2026 to discuss the new strategic approach and how it will be implemented.
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