A new agreement aimed at developing innovative food and drink trade and investment opportunities in the UK and the Netherlands has been signed today.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by NIAB EMR, the fruit research centre at East Malling (Kent, UK), Locate in Kent and Oost NL, the East Netherlands Development Agency, is set to foster greater international links to explore scientific studies both regionally and internationally.
“The food we eat is sourced globally for the consumer,” commented Prof Mario Caccamo, Managing Director of NIAB EMR, continuing, “Never before have the opportunities and challenges for the agri-food sector been so great. Science drives the innovation, but we must look beyond the UK to wider European horizons to realise the opportunities that are out there.”
As part of the MoU, stronger linkages will facilitate joint initiatives where the combined strengths of the partners are “greater than the sum of the parts”. First up is the development of the ‘Growing Kent & Medway’ cluster, a partnership led by NIAB EMR supported by research organisations and food and drink industries from Kent. Further initiatives will be centred on close liaison to help strengthen and stimulate the economy of the regions involved.
“Kent is leading the delivery of innovation for the food and drink sector in the UK”, said Gavin Cleary, CEO of Locate in Kent. “Our region offers an amazing opportunity for the establishment of businesses”, he added. “Our colleagues in the East Netherlands are global leaders in this sector demonstrating the impact that cutting-edge research and innovation can have in transforming food production and we are therefore delighted about the prospects from this collaboration”.
Oost NL has supported the development of the Foodvalley initiative which is the primary knowledge-intensive agri-food ecosystem in the Netherlands. More than 1,500 businesses employing more than 8,000 scientists are part of the Foodvalley. Since its establishment in 2004, the Foodvalley has built up a deep insight into the challenges of the agri-food industry and created a vast network of businesses, knowledge institutions and education providers.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to build new links with the ‘Growing Kent & Medway’ cluster”, said Fons de Zeeuw, board member and International Manager at Oost NL. “We believe in the added value of strengthening, connecting and growing the thriving food and drink industries in the Netherlands with other leading innovation regions in the world. We look forward to exploring the potential of this new partnership”.
For more information:
NIAB EMR
New Road
East Malling
Kent
ME19 6BJ
T: +44 (0) 1732 843833
F: +44 (0) 1732 849067
enquiries@emr.ac.uk
www.emr.ac.uk