Teagasc and its French counterpart are to sign a joint agreement that will enable the development of new technologies, products and services in the agri-food sector.
Together, these research institutes possess a high level of competence and expertise located in over 200 laboratories in France and 13 research and development centres in Ireland.
The co-operation themes covered already encompass food processing, ecology, plant biology, human nutrition, microbiology, physiology, genetics and animal health, livestock breeding systems, environment, rural development and more.
Following on the Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs) signed in 2002 and 2009; a joint declaration will be signed this week at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska in Co. Laois, Ireland.
This declaration will pursue existing partnerships and extend collaboration in various themes namely:
- Further encourage joint participation in European programmes such as Horizon 2020 or Interreg.
- Develop the co-supervision of postgraduates both French and Irish in France and Ireland.
- Support PhD students with their travel expenses while undertaking research in France and Ireland.
- Organise regular joint seminars in order to explore potential research projects of common interest.
- Publicise the results of joint projects, communicate on existing partnerships and “success stories”.
Speaking in advance of the signing, Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle said that researchers at Teagasc and INRA have a long tradition of working together for the betterment of agriculture in both countries.
“I am delighted to be signing this declaration this week which will deepen the collaboration between the two organisations,” he said.
The strengthening of this cooperation will foster and encourage researchers in both organisations to actively explore synergistic and complementary research opportunities, which will result in an increase in France and Ireland’s European and global competitiveness, Teagasc said.
Researchers from INRA will visit the Teagasc research centre in Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork this week.