27 February 2019
Venue: Joint Research Centre
CDMA -1/SDR1 & -1/SDR/2
Rue du Champs de Mars 21
1050 Brussels, Belgium
Programme
Background: In the context of the European Union’s updated Bioeconomy and Blue Growth Strategies, algae biomass is becoming increasingly important as a resource for a variety of commercial applications (e.g. food, feed, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, fertiliser and bio-based products). At the same time algal communities are important components of marine ecosystems and providers of ecosystem services to coastal communities. Key aspects like ensuring the sustainable exploitation of these resources while supporting the marine economic activities, creating jobs, searching for alternative food and energy sources and protecting the environment should be addressed. In spite of the growing interest on algae resources, production in Europe lags behind the marked increase in algae biomass production at the global level (driven by the Asian algae aquaculture) and suffers from scarce and fragmented information on the sector. Furthermore the existing regulatory framework for this emerging sector might need to be optimised to safety requirements and market developments. The constraints, needs and opportunities to support the sector development need to be identified. Purpose of the workshop: This workshop will bring together relevant specialists from the Commission services and experts from the algae industry to discuss the following topics:
The conclusions of this workshop on the current status, constraints, needs and opportunities related to the algae sector will be summarised in a brief report. |
Agenda
08:30 - 08:50 Welcome (Elisabetta Balzi – Head of JRC Bioeconomy Unit)
Presentation of the workshop objectives and structure (Rita Araujo - JRC)
SESSION 1: Availability and quality of information on the algae industry in Europe and needs for policy
Chair: Javier Sanchez Lopez (EC’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy)
08:50 – 09:30 Setting the scene: Presentations by experts from the DG MARE, JRC, EMODnet and EABA:
09:30 – 11:00 Breakout group discussion (rotatory) with the experts from industry
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 - 11:30 Presentation of results from group discussion by the moderator in each group and plenary discussion
SESSION 2: Regulatory framework related to algae production and commercial applications
Chair: Rita Araujo (JRC)
11:30 - 12:00 Setting the scene: Presentations by experts from DG MARE, DG SANTE, DG GROW and CEN
12:00 – 13:00 Breakout group discussion (rotatory) with the experts from industry
13:00 – 13:45 Lunch Buffet
SESSION 2 (continuation)
13:45 – 14:15 Breakout group discussion with the experts from industry (cont.)
14:15 - 14:30 Presentation of results from group discussion by the moderator in each group and plenary discussion
SESSION 3: Constraints, needs and opportunities for the sector development
Chair: Maris Stulgis (DG MARE)
14:30 – 15:10 Setting the scene: Presentations by experts from EASME, Blue Bioeconomy Forum, DG ENER, CEN/TC454 and DG RTD
15:10 – 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:45 Breakout group discussion (rotatory) with the experts from industry
16:45 - 17:00 Presentation of results from group discussion by the moderator in each group and plenary discussion
17:00 – 17:30 Closure of meeting (Rita Araujo-JRC)