The platform, initiated by the European Commission in 2003 and co-ordinated by the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) and EuropaBio, sets out short-, medium- and long-term visions for the plant agricultural sector and identifies research needs to help develop a knowledge-based bio-economy.

The bio-economy (plant genomics, other life sciences and biotechnology) is estimated to be worth some €1.6bn a year in Europe. But EPSO president Gruissem said: "Europe must put its knowledge base in the field of plant science into practice, to keep the European agricultural sector innovative and internationally competitive."

The research agenda sets out five challenges for Europe to which the plant sector can continue and which constitute a priority for research. These are: healthy, safe and sufficient food and feed; plant-based chemical and energy products; sustainable agriculture, forestry and landscape; vibrant and competitive plant research; and consumer choice and governance.

In communicating the publication of the strategic agenda, the coordinators flagged some areas of innovation expected to help lead the way towards a competitive future.

These include the development of crops to combat health problems such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes; and improved feed to reduce Europe's dependency on foreign imports.

Markwart Kunz of Sudzucker, a German sugar manufacturer, highlighted the importance of bio-fuels.

"The development of a knowledge-based bio-economy involving a global industry based on renewable plant resources as an alternative to the current fossil-fuel based industry constitutes by far the most challenging and promising opportunity in terms of economic, environmental and societal potential," he said.

The publication of the agenda coincides with the EU conference Towards future challenges of agricultural research in Europe, which opened in Brussels yesterday.