Commission draws on EXPO 2015 to find ways to bolster food and nutrition security

Ahead of the closing of the EXPO 2015 Universal Exhibition in Milan, the European Commission today welcomes new independent experts’ recommendations on how European research and innovation can help improve food and nutrition security around the world. The advice will ensure a strong legacy from the Commission’s presence at EXPO, which has been dedicated to the theme of global food and nutrition challenges. The findings are part of a larger collection of scientific knowledge on the issue of food security and offer directions for future research and innovation actions at EU and international level. Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, and responsible for the Joint Research Centre (JRC) which coordinated the EU presence at EXPO, said: “Continuous scientific progress is needed to help us ensure safe and nutritious food for all. I welcome the great effort made by scientists, policy makers, industry representatives and citizens to compile evidence on food security challenges. These recommendations are a truly valuable basis for future research actions at EU level.” The recommendations were presented to the Commission at a high-level conference a day ahead of World Food Day. The findings, presented a day in advance of World Food Day, have been welcomed by EU Commissioners Carlos Moedas, responsible for Research, Science and Innovation; Phil Hogan, responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development and Vytenis Andriukaitis, responsible for Health and Food Safety, and Neven Mimica, responsible for International Cooperation and Development, who attended the concluding events at EXPO 2015. A press release is available online.