By supporting projects like CIPROMED we are investing in connecting science with practice, creating new opportunities for producers, farmers, breeders and businesses, said on Friday the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panagiotou, in her greeting to conference of the company RTD Talos Ltd, in the framework of the CIPROMED project.
According to the Minister, the project is financed by the European PRIMA Program and is, as she said, an excellent example of "how science and innovation can offer solutions to modern challenges".
He added that with a total budget of 4,7 million euros, the project brings together leading research institutions, businesses and NGOs from Mediterranean countries, enhancing cooperation and knowledge exchange.
As he noted, CIPROMED focuses on the use of alternative proteins, such as microalgae and insects, to address important issues facing producers such as high feed costs, market pressures and the need to adopt more sustainable practices.
He added that the production of sustainable alternative proteins reduces dependence on imports and strengthens the resilience of agri-food systems, offering solutions that protect the environment and enhance productivity.
"The CIPROMED project is directly linked to our policies, as they are expressed through the Governance Program of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis. With actions that strengthen agro-technology, promote the use of renewable energy sources and protect biodiversity, we are investing in creating a resilient and sustainable primary sector, which can support our economy and respond to the challenges of the time," he continued.
He also said that the circular economy calls for a review of production dynamics with a holistic approach, including supply chain redesign, reuse and renewal, to address the sustainability risks the planet faces from reckless waste of natural resources. and ecological destruction.
He noted that sustainable food systems are now a priority at the European level, adding that in this context the "Farm to Fork" strategy was adopted, which aims at a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly system of food production, distribution and consumption.
He added that the production systems in the Member States of the European Union are highly dependent on imports of protein sources of high nutritional value from third countries, especially for the production of animal feed, with the growing need for food and pressures from production costs and climate change make it necessary to develop alternative protein sources.
"Both microalgae and insects, which are also the focal point of the conference, offer promising solutions. With their high nutritional value and their adaptability, they are sustainable options for both animal and human nutrition, while they contribute to reducing the environmental burden", emphasized Mrs. Panagiotou.
He added that the European Union has incorporated these innovations into its institutional framework, allowing the use of proteins from microalgae and insects in human and animal nutrition, with the systematic farming of insects having developed rapidly over the past decade, while the use of these proteins in animal feed for fish, poultry and pigs was recently approved, under a strict legislative framework that ensures human and animal health, in line with the 'One Health'.
At the same time, microalgae, with over 50 years of cultivation, are a stable source of nutrients for aquaculture and are considered superfoods for human nutrition, with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) classifying these products in the "novel foods" category , ensuring their safety and quality, while respectively the FAO indicates in the case of insects that they are a source of high nutritional value with high levels of fat, protein, vitamins and trace elements.
In closing, the Minister stated that today's event is not only a presentation of a project, but also a platform for cooperation, adding that "by supporting projects like CIPROMED, we invest in connecting science with practice, creating new opportunities for producers, farmers, breeders and businesses".
"The adoption of innovative solutions, such as those highlighted by CIPROMED, requires a collective effort. Consumers can incorporate these new proteins into their diets, while producers can benefit from their use in animal feed, promoting sustainability and competitiveness. I congratulate RTD Talos Ltd and its partners for realizing this ambitious project and organizing today's conference. I am sure that the knowledge and conclusions that will emerge will be useful tools for all stakeholders and will contribute to shaping a more sustainable future", she concluded.
