Agricultural Research in the USA: A Model for the European Commission?

Abstract

The concept of a common ‘Area’ for agricultural and food research among European nations is a topic that is both challenging and timely. The European Commission should be applauded for addressing the many complex issues associated with this concept as it strives to develop science and technology programmes, policies and investment strategies for the twenty-first century. The USA faces, in varying degrees, the same social, economic and technological forces that confront Europe. Political and funding changes, the role of farmers, and the direction and rising costs of agricultural research are common to both. Like the USA, Europe has a large number of research institutions spread across a large geographic area, many of which may be addressing similar research objectives. With these similarities in mind, the experiences, organizational structures and programme coordination mechanisms used by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) might serve as a model for the European Commission's future strategies. As a minimum, the Commission could benefit from adopting three essential elements of ARS's success: a common programme framework, a centralized facilitating or coordinating body, and a planning partnership between both scientists and stakeholders.