b"Plant ETP lunch meeting.improving the quality of food, feed, andscience projects and organizing workshops biobased raw materials by breeding plantswith stakeholders and policymakers are with increased nutritional properties andsome of the ways in which the platform is properties relevant for use in downstreamvocal about the power of plants. We cannot processing for non-food product; and lastly,drive innovation without increasing citizen promoting a vibrant research environmentawareness about the importance of plant by developing and implementing horizon- breeding and plant sciences in our food tal actions and strengthening basic andsystem. How often do people hear about applied research infrastructure. As partplant breeding and immediately think of its implementation strategy, Plant ETPabout a syringe filled with blue or green contributes to several EU-funded projects,liquid being injected into a bright red apple? either directly as a partner in a consortiumUnfortunately, far too often. Our food or by providing input on behalf of thesystem has been in the making since the plant sector as a member of a Stakeholderbeginning of humankind and Plant ETP Advisory Board. This hands-on engage- recognizes the importance of busting some ment ensures the research efforts have aof those inflammatory images. People have real-world impact. questions and concerns: the platform offers Valerija Voli answers and the opportunity for dialogue PAVING THE WAY FOR INNOVATION through its social media accounts, reaching Far too often, we hear about the importancea diverse audience that is steadily growing. of science-based decision-making and inno- views. Plant ETP is also a partner in anRecent years have clearly shown the power vation-friendly policies, but far too rarely doambitious Horizon Europe-funded pro- that social media has in mobilizing great we see that unfold on the ground. The pathject called GeneBEcon that examines themasses of people, so Plant ETP asks: why to innovation is seldom straightforward.innovation potential of gene editing in ena- not mobilize social media to post about our The time to market for future innovations,bling a sustainable bioeconomy in Europe.ancestors who domesticated wheat ~10,000 often derived from de novo research, isGeneBEcon will construct a toolbox foryears ago and taking the first step in breed-lengthyespecially for plant breedinggene editing for potato and microalgae,ing, or thank Norman Borlaug and others which can sometimes take as long as 20 toproviding case studies to assess regulatorywho played a key role in the green revo-30 years. Therefore, it's essential to con- options, analyse economic impacts andlution, thereby providing food security for sider how market needs will change overassess societal desirability. This innovativemillions throughout the globe?time and to ensure that actions supportingapproach includes reducing pesticide use short-, medium- and long-term goals coex- in potato cultivation, chemical-free potatoEditors Note: Valerija Voli is Research & ist to achieve the ambitious policy target. starch processing, and resource-efficientCommunication Trainee at Plant ETPIn the past years, New Genomicand clean production of industrially relevant Techniques like gene editing have becomecompounds from microalgae. a large part of the conversation in the sector and at the policy level, and the platform isRAISING AWARENESS AND BUILDING anything but late to the party. Plant ETPPARTNERSHIPSprovides a neutral platform for stakehold- Plant ETP doesn't operate in isolation; ers across the value chain and with differ- rather, it actively seeks to engage with theFor more information, go toent perspectives to discuss and share theirwider community. Collaborating on citizenhttps://www.plantetp.eu/ 34ISEED WORLD EUROPEIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM"