Introduction

A new agricultural revolution

The 21st Century, it is now widely acknowledged, will be the Biotech-IT Age. The recent Technology Foresight reports rightly identified biotechnology as one of the core technologies which Ireland and Irish industry must now embrace. Moreover, the Foresight reports also identified agri-food in particular as a sector that can benefit significantly from the tremendous potential offered by modern molecular technologies. This current report, jointly prepared by the major players in Irish biotech agri-food research, identifies the priorities that must be addressed if our agri-food sector is to partake of this new Agricultural Revolution.

Biotechnology is not new. For thousands of years people have been using and manipulating living organisms: yeast to make bread and beer, for example; bacteria to make yogurt and cheese; fungi to produce antibiotics; and domesticating animals and breeding crops for farming, forestry and fisheries. Modern biotechnology, however, which developed over the past 25 years, includes new molecular techniques which greatly increase the power, complexity and precision of what biotechnology can achieve. Most importantly, these molecular techniques have enabled us to begin compiling precise genetic information about gene location and function, and even whole genome maps, information that is fuelling the current rapid explosion in biotechnology.

The agri-food sector forms a major part of our economy. It employs over 175,000 people and accounts for 30% of GNP, 10% of exports, and 32% of the net inflow of funds from international trade. The agri-food industry, however, is operating in a rapidly changing world environment with increased competitiveness, globalisation of prices, and consumer demands for quality, safe, nutritious and convenient food, produced in an environmentally friendly way. Biotechnology is a powerful means to meet these challenges.

Diagnostic techniques that greatly improve our ability to detect diseases; fermentation and enzyme techniques for processing and manufacturing industries; microbial selection and manipulation, used in everything from drug production and cheese-making to bio-remediation of polluted sites; and marker-assisted selection, which is revolutionising the speed and accuracy of conventional plant and animal breeding (see Chapters 6&7). These are just some of the many and varied techniques available to modern biotechnology. Recent public debate focused almost solely on one technique, namely GM crops, but there are many other techniques and they hold out the promise of tremendous benefits to consumers, the environment and the agri-food industry as a whole.

The medical/healthcare sector was the first to reap the benefits of biotechnology and already 20% of the world's pharmaceutical products are biotechnology based. Like the medical sector, agri-food is a biological industry and therefore ideally placed to exploit the potential of biotechnology, as well as capitalise on biotech advances already developed for the medical sector (diagnostic techniques, for example). In agri-food, biotechnology will enable us to:

• Meet consumer demands and produce food that is fresher, healthier, safer and more nutritious but, significantly, no more expensive
• Meet growing legislative constraints and produce food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way and with fewer chemical inputs
• Treat, reduce and eliminate wastes produced on the farm and at food processing plants
• Address animal welfare concerns with better disease management and prevention
• Increase agri-food production and efficiency, but without increasing costs (thus coping with the trend toward fewer but larger farms and processing plants)
• Develop innovative and niche value-added food products, and so diversify away from price-supported commodities, especially as these supports will not continue indefinitely in the growing free-trade environment

Biotechnology is arguably the only technology that can seriously address all the above challenges and concerns. Already, the benefits are being felt: 80% of the world's cheese is produced using the enzyme chymosin. Identical to the rennet traditionally harvested from calf stomachs, chymosin is produced by modified bacteria; but being purer than rennet it is more effective, easier to handle and cheaper to produce. New biotech vaccines and diagnostic kits are starting to be used in animal disease management programmes; novel functional foods are being marketed to treat a range of conditions; and crops with added vitamins and minerals are being developed to counter nutrient deficiencies (a new rice variety with added vitamin A was introduced in recent months).

A national strategy

Biotechnology is a high-tech, research-based technology. A well-developed research infrastructure is therefore essential if we are to: monitor, evaluate and exploit key international developments; produce and attract skilled biotechnologists; establish and foster a vibrant biotechnology sector; and act as a magnet and anchor for biotechnology inward investment. This requires:

• Significant investment in, and long-term commitment to developing our R&D competency and facilities
• A nationally co-ordinated approach to expanding our skills base
• Strengthening the national infrastructure that supports R&D and technology exploitation

The existing University-Teagasc research capability is a sound strategic base on which to build a world-class biotechnology R&D establishment. Moreover, our food industry, with its clean green image and large capacity, is well placed to exploit this new technology to expand its product range and quality.

Biotechnology is also a powerful horizontal technology. While this report identifies priorities for the agri-food sector, there may be knock-on benefits elsewhere, since many agri-food advances could also be used in the marine, environmental and pharmaceutical/health care sectors, as well as industry in general. Moreover, products and processes developed for our agri-food industry could lead to new Irish biotech companies selling these products and processes on the international market.

Consumer concerns and public dialogue

With biotechnology we can address consumer demands for fresh, nutritious and safe food, public concerns about animal welfare, and societal requirements for sustainable and environmentally friendly production and processing. Consumer acceptance and approval of these technologies, however, will be crucial to their success. The recent and much publicised objections to certain GM crops affect just one aspect of biotechnology, but other biotech procedures and products could by association, and because of a lack of understanding of the benefits, become the subject of similar concerns.

An open national dialogue exploring and explaining the principles, many benefits, safe application and potential risks of biotechnology, is therefore essential. Transparent risk assessment, and public involvement in the debate about strategic development of this technology, must form part of this dialogue. The potential benefits of GM crops must be highlighted so that the public can make informed decisions. Information about consumer and market attitudes to biotechnology and consumer behaviour, both at home and abroad, as well as the factors that shape these attitudes, will also be crucial to the success of this programme.

The priorities

This report identifies the priorities for Irish agri-food biotech R&D for the coming five to 10 years, based on anticipated needs and opportunities. It also outlines the strategic development programme needed to make these targets a reality. As well as introducing new technological advances, biotechnology will fundamentally alter the structure of Ireland's agri-food chain: new liaisons will be needed among crop growers, animal producers and their respective processing industries; and between clinicians and the food industry. In short, we need a new co-operative approach to performing R&D. This will ensure:

• Cost-effective investment
• Balanced strengthening of the national R&D base
• Efficient transfer of R&D results both to existing Irish industry, and to help establish new ventures
• Stronger alliances among critical players in the food industry
• A stronger agri-food business more deeply rooted in Ireland