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The ALCUE-FOOD project proposes a "European fork to Latin American farm" approach, to: <LI>
meet EU safety and quality requirements;
<LI> develop safer food and feed chain production;
<LI> provide high quality and health-enhancing foods.
Further to the Rio summit, the bi-regional S&T dialogue between Latin American and Caribbean countries and the EU's Members States (ALCUE) has successfully highlighted opportunities in areas of co-operation and provided a concrete outline of issues to be addressed in the agrifood area. Based on the recommendations of this dialogue, this proposal is focused on the implementation of a "networking platform" to promote and enhance S&T co operation in "Food Quality and Safety". Considering the role of agriculture and agrifood in the Southern Cone Countries, the importance of agricultural products trade to EU, the presence of recognised research groups, the bilateral EU agreements in S&T, the networking platform will be implemented and focusing its activities in this region. Nevertheless, the dissemination of outputs will be addressed to all LAC countries.
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Promoting in LAC countries a "total food chain approach" for EU exported products will subsequently contribute to improve the welfare of Latin American populations and must be considered as an important impact in terms of co operation and mutual benefit. The main expected results:
<LI>Implementation of R&D bi regional groups of scientists;
<LI>Organisation of an innovative and global Information System;
<LI> Proposal of new relevant R&D topics based on analysis of social demand and productive sector needs;
<LI> Synergy between the R&D national policies and those of the European Commission. </ul>
The implementation of the networking platform will necessarily promote a dialogue between and within the two regions, with implications for national and regional policies. It will contribute to strengthen the Food Quality and Safety priority and the internationalisation of the European Research Area.
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For more information about this project, please visit the <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/food_quality/projects/055_en.ht…; target="_blank">European Commission Food Quality and Safety in Europe</a> Web site.