Spain: A pioneering scientific advisory project on new genomic techniques and potential use in the agri-food sector

The Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) on a pioneering scientific advisory project on new genomic techniques (NGT) and their potential use in the agri-food sector.

The project is supported by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) with the granting of aid from the I+P 2024 Call, promoted jointly with the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, and the National Office of Scientific Advice (ONAC), to foster innovation in public management. This aid is one of the 50 granted among the 370 applications submitted and will serve to launch this pioneering scientific advisory project.

The project has a duration of two years and is led by CSIC researcher at CRAG, Josep Maria Casacuberta, current president of the Genetically Modified Organisms panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Its main objective is to create a scientific advisory structure that assists MAPA in ongoing discussions to develop a legislative framework regulating the use of NGTs in European agriculture. Through various actions, the project aims to collect and disseminate information on the sector's needs and the state of gene editing research in plants in Spain, as well as to foster collaboration between research centers and the agri-food sector.

L. María Lois, director of CRAG, highlights the role of scientific advice as a strategy of the center: "We are committed to scientific policy as a tool to transfer the scientific knowledge generated at CRAG to develop better public policies."

Among the main actions of the project are:

• Meetings of the Expert Group with MAPA: In-person and telematic meetings will be held to discuss and coordinate scientific advisory tasks.

• Preparation of technical reports: Several reports will be created according to MAPA's needs, for example, on European legislative proposals, the state of technological development, and the potential applications of NGTs in agriculture.

• Coordination of research centers: The participation of Spanish public research centers will be encouraged to build a map of NGT research and coordinate outreach efforts.

• Participatory workshops: Various workshops will be organized with the different stakeholders involved, such as research centers, the business sector, and the agri-food sector.

• Creation of a web platform: This platform will serve as a repository of information and resources on NGTs, facilitating access to updated data and promoting transparency and knowledge in this area.

From her perspective, Elena Busutil Fernandez, General Director of Agricultural Productions and Markets of MAPA, highlights that "with this project, we will promote public innovation through scientific advice in a sector of special importance for the future of agriculture, food, and the environment, such as plant genetic improvement with NGTs."

Additionally, the project will have the collaboration of the Fundación Antama and Biovegen, generating synergies with the industrial sector. With this aid, CRAG reaffirms its commitment to science policy, putting itself at the service of institutions to help in decision-making based on scientific evidence.