Sustainable food consumption and production in a resource-constrained world : 3rd SCAR foresight exercise

In the framework of a wide foresight process, launched by the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) and aiming to identify possible scenarios for European agriculture in a long-term perspective, the European Commission (DG RTD-E4) established a "3rd Foresight Expert Group" that conducted a scanning and monitoring exercise of recent relevant foresight activities undertaken by national, regional or international bodies. It builds on the findings of previous SCAR-Foresights and provides a long-term assessment and analysis of expected environmental and resource issues as outlined in the 2nd SCAR-Foresight and their meaning for future agricultural research in the broader context of the bioeconomy. This 3rd exercise resulted in a report which has also been inspired by the contribution from relevant stakeholders active in strategic research agenda building (ERA-Nets, SCAR-Collaborative Working Groups, Technology Platforms and other FP7 projects) and that were asked to comment on an early draft. In order to further build consensus with such relevant actors on translating foresight results into research and innovation priorities, the report serves as an important input for the Conference "Transition towards sustainable food consumption and production in a resource constrained world" to be held on 4-5 May 2011, Budapest.