The project, managed by the National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA) and supported by the governments of Spain, Navarre, and La Rioja, aims to align innovation and regulation, generating learnings that could help update the regulatory framework both at the national and European levels. The presentation in the Belgian capital was led by the Minister of University, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Juan Luis García, as part of an institutional meeting focused on strengthening the presence of the Navarre region in European innovation policy.
One of the key events during the presentation of the ‘AgriFoodtech Sandbox’ took place at the Permanent Office of Navarre to the European Union, where Minister García and the Director General of Science, Technology and Innovation, Agurtzane Martínez, met with Carlos das Neves, Chief Scientist of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and members of the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU, including Marta March (Counsellor for Research and Innovation), Pedro Yenes (Counsellor for Agriculture), and Emma García (Counsellor for Regional Affairs). Following this meeting, the Minister also visited the facilities of the Permanent Office, which serves as a strategic connection hub between Navarre and Brussels, managed by the Directorate General for External Action.
During the meeting, Minister García and Director General Martínez highlighted that the region has allocated one million euros to the development of the sandbox this year. “The initiative offers startups, companies, and sector associations a controlled environment to test innovations in products, processes, and services, with scientific-technical support and regulatory advice,” García emphasized. Priority innovation areas include the development of new ingredients and healthy foods, sustainable preservation and packaging systems, and the valorization of agri-food waste.
“Navarre has key competitive advantages for the development of this model, such as a strong business fabric, a well-established culture of public-private collaboration, and an innovation ecosystem structured around the Navarre R&D+i System (SINAI),” explained Director General Martínez.
Through the Agro-Food PERTE, the Complementary Plan Agroalnext, and private investment, the region has mobilized nearly 31 million euros in recent years.
During the visit to Brussels, the Minister advocated for this model of open innovation connected to regulation before various European institutions, consolidating Navarre’s position as a leader in the field and positioning Spain as a pioneer country in the application of sandboxes in the agri-food sector.
The agenda also included meetings with the team of the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, led by Jean-David Malo, and with Antonella Rossetti, a member of the cabinet of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Christophe Hansen. These meetings also served to gather input for the development of Navarre’s second Science, Technology and Innovation Plan and to explore new European funding opportunities.
OTHER MEETINGS
The Minister also held a meeting with Navarrese MEP Elena Sancho, a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. The meeting provided an opportunity to analyze Navarre’s position as a strong innovator region, according to the 2023 Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS), where the region surpasses the European average in innovation indicators and ranks 98th among the 100 most innovative regions in Europe.
Additionally, meetings were held with Ángela Ustárroz, representative of ADItech in Brussels (coordinator of the Navarre R&D+i System), accompanied by Diego Garrido, and with the team from Zabala Innovation at their Brussels office. The aim was to explore ways for Navarre to participate in European programs, with a focus on securing strategic funding and aligning regional projects with the EU’s major partnerships and missions in science, technology, and innovation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR
Navarrese companies cover the entire value chain from the primary sector to the agri-food industry, including the two leading producers of frozen vegetables in Spain (Ultracongelados Virto and Congelados de Navarra); the largest grain cooperative group (Grupo AN); the global leader in the manufacture and marketing of casings for food products (Viscofan), whose sales reach around 100 countries worldwide; and the leading Spanish company for fresh, ready-to-eat salads and vegetables (Florette), along with major multinational corporations such as General Mills, Gelagri, Mondelez, and Agrozumos. More information is available at the following link.
Source: navarra.es