a publication of the BIOCIRCLE2 project with a focus on research in ...

Research TC
a <strong>publication</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>BIOCIRCLE2</strong> <strong>project</strong>
<strong>with</strong> a <strong>focus</strong> on research in Third Countries
Issue No. 3
� International Cooperation
Morocco contributes to legume research in <strong>the</strong> Mediterranean
region
Argentinean and EU organizations join forces in OPTIMA
Mexico: A map <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>mes for research cooperation
� Networking Events
Ukraine: Conference on pesticide registration and use
Morocco: Congress on sustainable beekeeping development
� Canada: Scientific partnership <strong>with</strong> industries
� Argentina: Biorefineries
� South Africa: Agricultural Research Council

Editorial
International cooperation: an opportunity for researchers and
enterprises!
The Framework Programme <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European Union has long aimed to promote
ambitious research <strong>with</strong> realistic potential to achieve tangible impact on economy
and society. The mandate for international cooperation broadens <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Programme, while <strong>the</strong> mandate for a substantial participation <strong>of</strong> small or medium
enterprises favours competitiveness and innovation.
Within such a research-funding framework transnational cooperation can <strong>focus</strong> on
real-life challenges and opportunities and allow for <strong>the</strong> most suitable expertise to
be employed in order tackle current or emerging problems.
In this, 3 rd issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Research @ TC <strong>publication</strong>, we have <strong>the</strong> opportunity to
present diverse examples <strong>of</strong> applied research across <strong>the</strong> world, all <strong>of</strong> which are highly relevant to <strong>the</strong> EU
societies. The developments regarding fermented food production (Canada), for instance, could be <strong>of</strong> value
to most central-European countries; legume and – in general – crop production research (Morocco, South
Africa) is <strong>of</strong> high importance to a large number <strong>of</strong> countries, especially where environmental or economic
factors force for changes in agricultural practices or policies; research on crops for biomass/ bi<strong>of</strong>uel
production (Argentina) becomes increasingly relevant as <strong>the</strong> debate on <strong>the</strong> sustainability <strong>of</strong> land use
progresses.
Trans-regional or trans-national debate can also help in identifying synergies. In this issue we host
announcements for two scientific networking events on pesticide registration and use (Ukraine) and
sustainable honey production (Morocco). Through such events, stakeholders have <strong>the</strong> opportunity to
highlight specific fields, where cooperation would bring <strong>the</strong> highest mutual benefit. If done systematically,
<strong>the</strong> resulting “cooperation maps” could simplify international cooperation both at <strong>the</strong> decision-making and
practical levels. To that end, this issue hosts a current “cooperation map” on “Food, Agriculture, Fisheries
and Biotechnology” for Mexico, which gives an easy-to-process view on practical topics identified via a –
mostly – bottom-up approach.
Gorgias Gar<strong>of</strong>alakis
Issue Editor

Contents
Editorial ................................................................3
International cooperation: an opportunity for
researchers and enterprises! ...................................3
Contents ................................................................4
A glance at research at Third Countries............5
Canada – Scientific Partnership <strong>with</strong> Industries:
Developing new fermented foods ..........................5
South Africa – The Agricultural Research Council:
Research Relevance and Excellence......................7
Biorefining in Argentina........................................8
The Argentine potential for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong>
biorefineries...................................................9
Frameworks to promote <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong>
bio-refineries in Argentina.............................9
Mexico: A map <strong>of</strong> cooperation fields in Food,
Agriculture, Fisheries & Biotechnology research 10
Success stories <strong>of</strong> EU – Third Country research
cooperation .........................................................11
Morocco: Faba bean research in <strong>the</strong> Mediterranean
agriculture ............................................................11
The OPTIMA <strong>project</strong>: a cooperation success story
between <strong>the</strong> EU and Argentina thanks to a Twinning
Programme...........................................................12
Networking events..............................................14
Ukraine: Problems <strong>of</strong> Registration and Use <strong>of</strong>
Pesticides .............................................................14
Morocco: Research for sustainable Beekeeping ..15
Find out who we are….......................................17
4

A glance at research at Third Countries
Canada – Scientific Partnership <strong>with</strong> Industries: Developing new
fermented foods
Dr. Tony Savard (photo) is a leading scientist in
vegetable fermentation and his career has been
driven by his strong support to industries. His
understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> different interactions
between microorganisms and vegetables from
food-borne pathogens to lactic ferments led his
laboratory succeeded in <strong>the</strong> isolation <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> most effective strains <strong>of</strong> lactic acid bacteria
which can be combined to create adapted starters
for <strong>the</strong> fermentation <strong>of</strong> vegetables innovating a
better way in partnership <strong>with</strong> industries.
Fermenting vegetables for long-term preservation
has been around for a long time — in some Asian
and African countries, it’s been used for
thousands <strong>of</strong> years. Today, more and more people
are looking to fermented vegetables as a tastier,
more natural and healthier alternative to <strong>the</strong> usual
commercial methods like pasteurization and
chemical preservatives used to produce uniform
products <strong>with</strong> a long, stable shelf life.
The problem <strong>with</strong> commercially produced
fermented vegetables, at least until very recently,
is <strong>the</strong> short shelf life — not more than a month
<strong>with</strong>out pasteurization.
While producers that limit distribution to small,
regional markets can work around that, it was a
real challenge for one Canadian company that had
its eyes on a much bigger market. The company
had started exporting fermented organic
vegetables to Europe and <strong>the</strong> United States. The
trouble was, long-distance transportation allowed
time for secondary fermentation to take place, and
<strong>the</strong> packaging had an unwelcome tendency to
explode before <strong>the</strong> product could get to <strong>the</strong>
consumer.
Caldwell Bio Fermentation Canada Inc, is a
company which enjoys an international reputation
in <strong>the</strong> food industry for its preservative-free
products. It needed help if it was going to
reposition itself in order to take advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
growing worldwide demand for fermented
vegetables.
Under <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> Dr. Savard, and working in
close collaboration <strong>with</strong> Caldwell, <strong>the</strong> team set out
to find a new process. Their research led to <strong>the</strong>
discovery <strong>of</strong> mixed lactic ferments that are
capable <strong>of</strong> stabilizing products that have been
subjected to lacto-fermentation. This eliminates
<strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> secondary fermentation and
explosions, providing better preservation — up to
one year — for vegetables fermented by <strong>the</strong> new
process.
Two patents for <strong>the</strong> new process were issued in
Canada in 2002, and patent applications have been
filed in a number <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r countries. Caldwell Bio
Fermentation holds two exclusive marketing
licenses for <strong>the</strong> fermented vegetables, and AAFC
and Caldwell have concluded a number <strong>of</strong>
partnership agreements (sub-licenses) <strong>with</strong> several
countries including Hungary, Japan, Germany, <strong>the</strong>
United States, <strong>the</strong> United Kingdom and Latvia.
At <strong>the</strong> moment, eight products based on seven
vegetables are available on <strong>the</strong> natural food
market, in <strong>the</strong> unpasteurized organic vegetable
niche. The main products available commercially
are sauerkraut, kimchi (a spicy condiment made
<strong>with</strong> Chinese cabbage, daikon radishes and
5

cucumber that is very popular in Korea) carrots,
black radishes, garlic blossoms and beets.
Total annual sales <strong>of</strong> fermented vegetables are
approximately $2 million for Caldwell Bio
Fermentation and <strong>the</strong> three o<strong>the</strong>r Canadian
companies that use <strong>the</strong> method (Le Petit Mas, La
Choucroute TAPP and Les Jardins de Saint-
Félicien). Close to 80 percent <strong>of</strong> Caldwell's
production is exported, chiefly to <strong>the</strong> United
States.
According to company president Gary Caldwell,
"In <strong>the</strong> natural foods market, consumers are
looking for ferments that are not pasteurized. That
is why this year we are taking <strong>the</strong> innovative step
<strong>of</strong> selling ferments on <strong>the</strong> retail market for
consumers who would like to make <strong>the</strong>ir own
fermented vegetables.” Mr. Caldwell says he
expects sales <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ‘do-it-yourself’ product to
reach $100,000 in <strong>the</strong> first year.
According to AAFC’s Dr. Savard, "Consumers
are showing a keen interest in functional foods.
Now, all vegetables that are fermented using <strong>the</strong>
lacto-fermentation process are functional foods, as
defined by Health Canada, and fit perfectly into
this new trend. These vegetables are rich in lactic
bacteria, and <strong>the</strong>y do not require pasteurization or
any added chemical preservatives. They truly are
living vegetables!" said Dr. Savard.
While fermented vegetables are currently a niche
product appreciated especially by healthconscious
consumers, <strong>the</strong> new process also has
distinctly practical advantages in terms <strong>of</strong> safe
food preservation. The Canadians are already
looking at opportunities in African and Asian
countries, where refrigeration is not available to
large segments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> population.
Fur<strong>the</strong>r information:
Tony Savard, Ph.D.
Research scientist and Food microbiologist
Food Research and Development Center,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Food Safety and Quality
St-Hyacin<strong>the</strong>, Quebec, Canada
Email: Tony.Savard@agr.gc.ca
6
Fermented, unpasteurized vegetables is an
emerging product niche.

South Africa – The Agricultural Research Council: Research Relevance
and Excellence
As <strong>the</strong> Executive Director for Research and
Development at <strong>the</strong> Agricultural Research
Council (ARC), Dr Mohammed Jeenah is
responsible for maintaining a fine balance
between producing knowledge that is relevant to
agriculture in South Africa today, and that will
advance <strong>the</strong> sector in <strong>the</strong> future.
At any given time, South Africa’s leading re-
search institution in agriculture has about 1
000 <strong>project</strong>s in progress, underpinned by a
research team <strong>of</strong> some 800 scientists and a
budget <strong>of</strong> some R800-million for <strong>the</strong> current
financial year. The ARC has committed to
delivering excellence in four distinct
programmes: field crop production; horticulture
production; animal health and livestock
production and improvement; and natural
resources and engineering services. “We are
working on all <strong>the</strong> critical products and
commodities necessary to ensure food security,
<strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> South African agriculture
sector and job creation” says Dr Jeenah.
My vision for <strong>the</strong> ARC is firstly, for it to be
among <strong>the</strong> top five research councils globally.
Secondly, I would like to see <strong>the</strong> ARC working
on <strong>the</strong> major problems <strong>of</strong> food security, poverty
and malnutrition in <strong>the</strong> global context, and
playing a critical role in <strong>the</strong> solution <strong>with</strong>in <strong>the</strong>
national context. Given our mandate to deliver
on our own critical issues, and <strong>the</strong> <strong>project</strong>ions
that by 2050 <strong>the</strong> world will need to produce
double <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong> food it currently produces
to feed <strong>the</strong> population, <strong>the</strong> answers lie in
research and <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> agricultural
technology to increase food productivity. We
have a very real contribution to
make,”concludes Dr Jeenah.
Fur<strong>the</strong>r Fur<strong>the</strong>r Fur<strong>the</strong>r information:
information:
http://www.arc.agric.za
A Career in Research: Dr
Mohammed Jeenah
Mohammed Jeenah has a Ph.D. in biochemistry from
<strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Natal. His research career was
developed in Biotechnology and Cardiovascular
research before he moved to <strong>the</strong> world <strong>of</strong> research
management and national policy development and
implementation. Mohammed has managed and
monitored institutional budgets <strong>of</strong> some R300-million
at <strong>the</strong> Medical Research Council <strong>of</strong> South Africa and
University <strong>of</strong> Pretoria, and national budgets at <strong>the</strong>
Department <strong>of</strong> Health and Department <strong>of</strong> Science and
Technology <strong>of</strong> approximately R1.5-billion.
The ARC was established by <strong>the</strong> Agricultural Research
Act 86 <strong>of</strong> 1990 (as amended) and is <strong>the</strong> principal
agricultural research institution in South Africa. The
Act sets out <strong>the</strong> objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ARC as “conducting
<strong>of</strong> research, development & technology transfer in
order to:
• Promote agriculture & industry;
• Contribute to better quality <strong>of</strong> life;
• Facilitate/ensure natural resource
conservation”
This function is carried out through 11 research
institutes whose activities are grouped under five
divisions: Field Crops (Grain and Industrial Crops),
Horticulture, Animal Production and Health, Natural
Resources and Engineering as well as Technology
Transfer. The ARC is also responsible for maintaining
national assets and undertaking programmes or
rendering services that are required from time to time
by <strong>the</strong> department and o<strong>the</strong>r stakeholders.
7

Biorefining in Argentina
The transition to <strong>the</strong> intensive use <strong>of</strong> biomass,
apart from its traditional use in human food and
animal feed, is already underway and <strong>the</strong>re is
clear evidence <strong>of</strong> its potential impact in a broad
scope <strong>of</strong> industries ranging from food and health
to transportation, construction and entertainment
industry, in which <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> bioproducts
(products or chemical compounds <strong>of</strong> industrial or
commercial use) is growing rapidly. In general
terms bioproducts may be divided into two types:
a) low value bulk chemical <strong>of</strong> simpler structures
that represent a considerable volume <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> market
totaling thousands <strong>of</strong> tons per year, and
b) specialty chemicals, corresponding to
compounds <strong>of</strong> more complex structure and high
market value, but represent a smaller percentage
<strong>of</strong> world production (Zwart, 2006).
Indeed, as shown in <strong>the</strong> Figure, below, <strong>the</strong>re is a
pyramid that represents this process <strong>of</strong> generating
8
value based on <strong>the</strong> different stages <strong>of</strong> biomass
processing.
In this process <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> biorefinery- <strong>of</strong> a
similar nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oil refinery- where multiple
fuels are produced and derived using
hydrocarbons as a sole source <strong>of</strong> raw material
plays a central role. In general terms, biorefinery
encompasses "sustainable processing <strong>of</strong> biomass
into a spectrum <strong>of</strong> marketable products and
energy production" (IEA Bioenergy Task 42 on
biorefineries) and represents a critical interface for
agro-industrial development and, <strong>the</strong>refore, is
extremely attractive for implementation in
countries like Argentina, where <strong>the</strong> recovery <strong>of</strong>
agricultural production is crucial for economic
development. (for fur<strong>the</strong>r discussion in EU/LAC
http://bioeconomy-alcue.org)
Figure: Ratio value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> products <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> biomass (Source:
Bioeconomy Council, Germany, 2010)

The Argentine potential for <strong>the</strong>
development <strong>of</strong> biorefineries
The existing biorefineries in Argentina so far
work on <strong>the</strong> whole crop, mainly based on <strong>the</strong>
biomass generated from <strong>the</strong> cultivation <strong>of</strong> soy and
sugar cane. They are first-generation facilities,
where <strong>the</strong> main product is bi<strong>of</strong>uels (biodiesel, in
<strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> soybeans, ethanol, in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> sugar
cane), <strong>the</strong> production <strong>of</strong> which is intended both
for domestic consumption and exports. These two
crops are now showing increased pr<strong>of</strong>itability for
<strong>the</strong> production <strong>of</strong> bi<strong>of</strong>uels. Therefore, <strong>the</strong>
tendency is that <strong>the</strong>y constitute <strong>the</strong> raw material
chosen for biorefineries because <strong>the</strong>y are available
<strong>with</strong>in a short time and at less cost. However, <strong>the</strong>y
raise <strong>the</strong> competition between food and
bioproducts and, for now, <strong>the</strong> production cost <strong>of</strong>
bi<strong>of</strong>uels made from such materials exceeds <strong>the</strong>
cost <strong>of</strong> conventional ones, so that to achieve
economic viability, subsidies or tax advantages
should be provided for <strong>the</strong>m.
In this sense, <strong>the</strong> ideal source <strong>of</strong> biomass are
residues and forage crops, wood and wood waste,
waste from pastures, animal waste, municipal and
industrial waste, and <strong>the</strong> so-called "energy crops",
which provides a good yield <strong>of</strong> sugars and oils.
According to <strong>the</strong> analysis conducted by <strong>the</strong> FAO
(FAO, 2009), from <strong>the</strong> supply <strong>of</strong> available
biomass for wood energy in Argentina derived
from various agro-industries, vineyards, olive
groves, citrus and o<strong>the</strong>r agricultural plantations
indicated that <strong>the</strong> biomass available and
potentially available is <strong>of</strong> 124,020.200 tonnes.
The annual sustainable wood production <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
country consists <strong>of</strong> native and planted forests and
was estimated at 193 million tonnes, <strong>of</strong> which 143
million are physically accessible and potentially
available for energy uses. For this estimate, <strong>the</strong>
current use <strong>of</strong> soil and current industry practices,
excluding potential crops for bi<strong>of</strong>uel production or
o<strong>the</strong>r specific forms <strong>of</strong> bioenergy was considered.
To <strong>the</strong>se resources, 2.7 million tons <strong>of</strong> wood
biomass by-products from sawmill waste and
olive plantations, sugar cane and rice, vineyards,
citrus and o<strong>the</strong>r fruit orchard are added. From <strong>the</strong>
orchards, and about 2.3 million tons <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r
products derived from agro-biomass data, thus
giving a total <strong>of</strong> potentially available resources
amounting to 148 million tonnes, <strong>of</strong> which 124
million are derived from potential commercial
sources. For its part, <strong>the</strong> most promising energy
crops include jathr<strong>of</strong>a curcas, sorghum bicolor,
arundo donax, and panicum virgatum.
Frameworks to promote <strong>the</strong>
development <strong>of</strong> bio-refineries in
Argentina
The promotion and development <strong>of</strong> biorefineries
in Argentina would:
• Develop agribusiness locally and
regionally through a revaluation <strong>of</strong>
agricultural production.
• Promote <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> SMEs and
economic networks at local and territorial
levels, where biorefineries may be
established
• Increase <strong>the</strong> supply <strong>of</strong> jobs for rural
residents by reducing <strong>the</strong> migration <strong>of</strong>
rural to urban areas.
• Increase <strong>the</strong> value capture by producers
The biorefining concept is highly flexible in
regard to structure and scale production, and
allows adaptation to local conditions where <strong>the</strong>y
might be established.
In <strong>the</strong> framework <strong>of</strong> public policies already
implemented and to be carried out in Argentina,
<strong>the</strong> biorefineries are established as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Strategic Socio Productive Nuclei (NSPE) around
which <strong>the</strong> National Plan for Science, Technology
and Innovation 2012-2015 in Argentina will be
<strong>focus</strong>ed.
Bibliography
� Trigo, Eduardo J.; Alejandro Mentaberry;
Eugenio J. Cap; Alicia Zelada; Federico
Villarreal (2011). El potencial de la
bioeconomía y las bio-refinerías en la
Argentina. Ministerio de Ciencia,
Tecnología e Innovación Productiva
MINCyT, mimeo.
� ZWART, R. (2006): Biorefinery – <strong>the</strong>
worldwide status at <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong>
2006, (www.biorefinery.nl/fileadmin/
biorefinery/docs/bioref/bioref0603.pdf)
9

Mexico: A map <strong>of</strong> cooperation fields in Food, Agriculture, Fisheries &
Biotechnology research
The Mexican BIO-NCP, through <strong>the</strong> interaction
<strong>with</strong> academics and industrial participants <strong>with</strong>in
workshops and o<strong>the</strong>r events, has generated a
number <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>mes that have potential for regional
cooperation. It is envisaged that <strong>the</strong> table will be
fur<strong>the</strong>r updated so as to take account any new
input, as well as emerging needs and
opportunities.
10
Fur<strong>the</strong>r information:
http://ncpfoodbiotech.unam.mx/
Dr. Amanda Gálvez,
galvez@unam.mx
MEXICO FAFB NCP
MSc. Nayeli Hernández Mejía,
nayeli.bioncp@gmail.com
Project Officer PNCS AAPB
Table <strong>of</strong> fields for Cooperation in
*a: Infrastructure *b: Mobility *c: Technology transfer to Europe *d: Technology transfer to Mexico
TOPIC DESCRIPTION *a *b *c *d
Sustainable
use <strong>of</strong> agrobiodiversity
Efficient use <strong>of</strong>
water in
agricultural
systems
Food safety
improvement,
<strong>focus</strong>ed on
fresh food
GMP and
prevention <strong>of</strong>
zoonosis &
fisheries
infections
Functional
foods,
nutrigenomics
&
nutrigenetics
Innovative
biotechnologies
such as nanobiotech
� The use <strong>of</strong> Mexican crops and wild relatives adapted to abiotic stresses are
sources <strong>of</strong> candidate genes valuable for assisting genetic breeding for
reducing climate change impact.
� Mexican plant biodiversity has a great potential in human health, as sources
<strong>of</strong> high added-value bio-compounds.
� Sustainable use <strong>of</strong> proteinic residual cakes and o<strong>the</strong>r agronomical waste
materials after bi<strong>of</strong>uel production is being developed.
� Bio-fertilizers developed in Mexico (using indigenous microbial diversity)
are ready to be exported to o<strong>the</strong>r agricultural systems.
� The use <strong>of</strong> precision technologies for attaining water use by 10-20% in
agriculture is a plausible goal. MEMs are currently developed in Mexico to
be used in communities and industries.
� The use <strong>of</strong> plastics and innovative watering methods can improve irrigation
management and increase sustainability in major water- demanding crops.
� Animal health, as well as BMP for traceability and sanitary inspection is
required besides producers and scientists involvement, in order to cover food
safety from farm to fork.
� The use <strong>of</strong> novel technologies such as predictive genomics for infections
could boost fish and shrimp farms, as well as applying eco-friendly and
sustainable innovative management systems.
� Use <strong>of</strong> degradable antibiotics and antimicrobial compounds (i.e.,
nutraceuticals and bacteriocins) <strong>with</strong> low residues can improve safety <strong>of</strong>
fresh food. Their incorporation in packaging materials and active edible
packaging material is also considered.
� Development <strong>of</strong> functional foods based on agave fructans and probiotics is a
Mexican development ready to be exported. Several health claims are
approved.
� Mexican traditional diet components such as soluble fiber from Opuntia and
Salvia hispanica are boosting nutrigenetics & nutrigenomics research in
Mexico. These new functional foods can contribute to obesity and nutrition
related diseases mitigation. Health claims are being approved.
� Bio-nanotechnology for oil spills mitigation, and <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> indigenous
microbial consortia, are some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most promising cost effective and
environmentally acceptable technologies.
� Nano-structured emulsions have been developed for controlled release
vehicles for active compounds, drugs, etc.
X
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Success stories <strong>of</strong> EU – Third Country research cooperation
Morocco: Faba bean research in <strong>the</strong> Mediterranean agriculture
The Institute <strong>of</strong> Agricultural and Veterinary
Medecine Hassan II (IAV Hassan II) is a
multidisciplinary Institute <strong>of</strong> training and research
in <strong>the</strong> fields <strong>of</strong> agriculture, food technology,
topography, agricultural engineering and
veterinary medicine.
Within <strong>the</strong> Unit <strong>of</strong> Genetics, Biotechnology and
Plant Breeding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> IAV Hassan II, faba bean
constitutes one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> model crops studied.
Faba bean is <strong>the</strong> most important legume in
Morocco regarding both production (153 000 t)
and acreage (280 000 ha) levels. Besides,
Morocco constitutes a center <strong>of</strong> genetic diversity
for this crop.
The research on faba bean mainly <strong>focus</strong>es on:
� The study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> genetic diversity <strong>of</strong> local
populations based on phenotypic and
molecular aspects.
� The evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> competitiveness <strong>of</strong>
local populations to weed stress.
� The evaluation <strong>of</strong> drought tolerance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
local populations in <strong>the</strong> field and in <strong>the</strong>
controlled conditions.
The outcomes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se studies will allow on one
hand <strong>the</strong> valorization <strong>of</strong> faba bean landraces and
on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand <strong>the</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir
performance and productivity in <strong>the</strong> frame <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
conventional breeding.
O<strong>the</strong>r economically important crops are studied
<strong>with</strong>in <strong>the</strong> unit, such as wheat, barley and alfalfa.
The international cooperation is <strong>of</strong> great interest
in this research area. Indeed MEDILEG, an
international <strong>project</strong> has recently been funded
<strong>with</strong>in <strong>the</strong> framework <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Euro-Mediterranean
cooperation under <strong>the</strong> ARIMNET <strong>project</strong>, which
is – in turn – supported by <strong>the</strong> EC under FP7.
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.)
MEDILEG at a glance
Title: Breeding, agronomic and biotechnological
Approaches for reintegration and revalorization
<strong>of</strong> legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture
Consortium: MEDILEG involves a consortium
<strong>of</strong> eight Mediterranean countries; France, Spain,
Italy, Tunisia, Portugal, Egypt, Algeria and
Morocco.
Fur<strong>the</strong>r information:
Dr. Lamiae Ghaouti,
Project Manager
E-mail: lamiaeghaouti@hotmail.com
11

The OPTIMA <strong>project</strong>: a cooperation success story between <strong>the</strong> EU and
Argentina thanks to a Twinning Programme
OPTIMA is a large-scale <strong>project</strong> funded by <strong>the</strong> 7 th
Framework Programme under <strong>the</strong> KBBE Theme,
which was made possible <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong> an
ongoing Argentina – EU Twinning Programme:
two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> OPTIMA partners met and started
cooperation efforts through this initiative. The
AR–EU. Twinning Programme intends to identify
joint activities among <strong>project</strong>s being implemented
<strong>with</strong>in <strong>the</strong> 7th Framework Programme and similar
<strong>project</strong>s funded by <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> Science,
Technology and Productive Innovation.
In OPTIMA, <strong>the</strong> party from Argentina is
INDEAR (www.indear.com) – a biotechnology
company <strong>focus</strong>ed in R+D for agro-industry,
performing activities in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> crop
improvement, biomass production, gene discovery
and molecular farming. Its current facilities
include platforms for crop breeding, field testing
<strong>of</strong> transgenic cultivars, plant transformation and
genomic sequencing and analysis. The company
participated in <strong>the</strong> Twinning Programme <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Project “Application <strong>of</strong> genomic and metabolomic
approaches to sustainable management <strong>of</strong> soils in
agricultural activities and bioprospection <strong>of</strong>
genetic resources in order to use biotechnology”.
The o<strong>the</strong>r partner involved in <strong>the</strong> twinning activity
was CRES (www.cres.gr), which is <strong>the</strong> Greek
National Center for Renewable Energy Sources, a
public entity supervised by <strong>the</strong> General Secretariat
<strong>of</strong> Research and Technology <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong>
Education, Lifelong learning and Religious
affairs, having never<strong>the</strong>less, financial and
administrative independence. CRES participated
12
OPTIMA at a glance
Title: Optimization <strong>of</strong> Perennial Grasses
for Biomass Production
Consortium: The <strong>project</strong> is implemented
by a consortium <strong>of</strong> 21 partners. It is
coordinated by UNICT - University <strong>of</strong>
Catania - DISPA - Dipartimento di
Scienze delle Produzioni Agrarie e
Alimentari.
Project No.: 289642
in <strong>the</strong> Twinning Programme <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> Project 4F
CROPS: Future Crops for Food, Feed, Fiber and
Fuel.
The main objective <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> OPTIMA <strong>project</strong> is to
identify high-yielding perennial grasses for <strong>the</strong>
Mediterranean area, <strong>with</strong>in an optimized
production chain that will provide stable source
for both biomass and new plant derived bioproducts.
OPTIMA will explore <strong>the</strong> potential<strong>of</strong>
perennial grasses on underutilized or abandoned
marginal lands.
The major goals <strong>of</strong> this interdisciplinary approach,
involving physiology, biotechnology, and
agronomy, socio-economical and environmental
analysis at different scale levels, are:
Following for recommendations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Third Meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European Commission – Argentina
Science and Technology Agreement Steering Committee held in Brussels 2008 a Bilateral Road Map
for 2008-2009 was established in order to define strategic activities to be jointly implemented. It was
proposed to launch an initiative <strong>of</strong> twinning research <strong>project</strong>s respectively from <strong>the</strong> EU Seventh
Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7), Theme 2 “Food,
Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology” (FAFB) and Argentinean national research programmes
(MinCyT) and o<strong>the</strong>r mechanisms available in both sides. www.ec-argentina.eu

� to evaluate <strong>the</strong> existing genotypes;
� to characterize and deliver novel species;
� to deliver sustainable crop management
practices (sowing/planting strategies to
reduce <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> pesticide and increase
biomass on <strong>the</strong> first year establishment,
cultivation under salinity conditions
and/or water deficit, reducing losses
during harvest);
� to evaluate <strong>the</strong> industrial production <strong>of</strong>
bioenergy and added value bio-products;
� to assess <strong>the</strong> environmental impact
through an integrated assessment <strong>of</strong>
sustainability criteria, and
Fur<strong>the</strong>r information:
Dr. Alejandro Mentaberry
E-mail: amentaberry@yahoo.com.ar
� to disseminate <strong>the</strong> achieved findings at
different level (local, regional, national,
international).
The Twinning Programme made possible to
initiate and enhance <strong>the</strong> cooperation between <strong>the</strong>
two actors, a fact that would have been highly
unlikely should <strong>the</strong> Programme have not been
available. Moreover, <strong>the</strong> high scientific standards
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Programme made possible <strong>the</strong> follow-up
participation in a large-scale <strong>project</strong>, which was
finally funded by <strong>the</strong> EU.
Biochemist, FFyB-UBA - Ph.D. in Chemistry, FCEyN-UBA
Principal Research Scientist, INGEBI-CONICET
Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, full time, Dept. <strong>of</strong> Biological Sciences, FCEyN-UBA
Organizing Director, Institute <strong>of</strong> Agrobiotechnology <strong>of</strong> Rosario (INDEAR)
13

Networking events
Ukraine: Problems <strong>of</strong> Registration and Use <strong>of</strong> Pesticides
The Ukrainian Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Quality and Safety
<strong>of</strong> Agricultural Products <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National
University <strong>of</strong> Life and Environmental Sciences <strong>of</strong>
Ukraine under <strong>the</strong> auspices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong>
Ecology and Natural Resources <strong>of</strong> Ukraine, <strong>the</strong>
Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agrarian Policy and Food <strong>of</strong> Ukraine
and in <strong>the</strong> frame <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> BIO CIRCLE 2, ECfunded
<strong>project</strong>, will hold an International
Scientific Conference for «Problems <strong>of</strong>
Registration and Use <strong>of</strong> Pesticides in Ukraine».
The conference will take place between 23 and 25
October 2012, in Kyiv, NUBIP <strong>of</strong> Ukraine. The
working languages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> conference will be
Russian and English (translation will not be
provided).
Scope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> conference
The conference aims to analyze <strong>the</strong> requirements
for registration <strong>of</strong> plant protection products in
Ukraine and discuss <strong>the</strong> ways <strong>of</strong> improving <strong>the</strong>
process <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir registration and use having in
mind:
� <strong>the</strong> current requirements for
environmental protection,
� <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> soil fertility,
� <strong>the</strong> production <strong>of</strong> high quality <strong>of</strong>
agricultural products, and
� <strong>the</strong> conditions for sustainable
economic growth.
It is planned to address problems throughout <strong>the</strong>
chain for <strong>the</strong> application <strong>of</strong> plant protection
products (problems <strong>with</strong> registration, import,
transportation, storage, drift <strong>of</strong> pesticides and
poisoning <strong>of</strong> bees during <strong>the</strong> treatment, etc.).
Plenary sessions
� Legislative support in <strong>the</strong>
circulation <strong>of</strong> pesticides
� Procedures for state testing and
registration <strong>of</strong> pesticides
� Problems <strong>of</strong> ecological, toxicological
and biological testing
� Providing methodical control <strong>of</strong>
circulation <strong>of</strong> pesticides -
component composition and
14
determination <strong>of</strong> pesticide residues
in food, raw materials, soil,
water
� Problems <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> registration <strong>of</strong>
fertilizers, growth regulators and
biological products
� Problems <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> registration <strong>of</strong>
pesticides for use in gardens
� Problems <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> utilization <strong>of</strong>
residues and packaging
� Counterfeit
Who should attend
Scientists and o<strong>the</strong>r pr<strong>of</strong>essionals involved in <strong>the</strong>
uses, registration or control <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> chemical
plant protection products; scientific research
institutes and relevant scientists; environmental
organizations; private entities involved in any
aspect <strong>of</strong> pesticide production or use.
Fur<strong>the</strong>r information:
Dr. Victoria Lokhanska,
Ukrainian Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Quality and Safety <strong>of</strong>
Agricultural Product,
National University <strong>of</strong> Life and Environmental
Science <strong>of</strong> Ukraine
Email: dep_director@quality.ua

Morocco: Research for sustainable Beekeeping
The IAV Hassan II, in Morocco, is hosting a Unit
<strong>of</strong> Research and Development in Apiculture
operating in <strong>the</strong> following research areas:
� Biodiversity and identification <strong>of</strong> bee
races in Morocco, in view <strong>of</strong> selecting
more productive strains and resistant to
diseases;
� Adapted queen breeding techniques to
specific conditions;
� Labeling <strong>of</strong> Moroccan honeys;
� study <strong>of</strong> beekeeping strengths and
constraints;
� O<strong>the</strong>r aspects specifics to beekeeping and
honey quality
Research, development and continuous training
activities are directly conducted <strong>with</strong> industrial,
socio-economic and pr<strong>of</strong>essional organizations.
Currently, in order to meet <strong>the</strong> apiculture sector
demand in term <strong>of</strong> honey quality, IAV Hassan is
implementing a new and unique national unit <strong>of</strong>
honey analysis and quality control.
Following <strong>the</strong> integration <strong>of</strong> Morocco to
Apimondia (<strong>the</strong> International Federation <strong>of</strong>
Beekeeping), <strong>the</strong> IAV Hassan II in collaboration
<strong>with</strong> Apimondia and <strong>the</strong> Union <strong>of</strong> Moroccan
Beekeepers (UAPIM), <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Moroccan Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agriculture and Fisheries,
is organizing, <strong>the</strong> 1 st Moroccan Beekeeping
Congress on “What strategy for sustainable
development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> beekeeping sector in
Morocco?” in Rabat, Morocco, September 28-
29th 2012.
International participants are invited to share <strong>the</strong>ir
experience <strong>with</strong> Moroccan counterparts and
discuss potential cooperation activities <strong>with</strong>in FP7
next call or o<strong>the</strong>r funding schemes.
Fur<strong>the</strong>r information:
El Hassania Mohssine (h.mohssine@gmail.com)
Unit <strong>of</strong> Research and Development in Apiculture
Department <strong>of</strong> Production and Animal
Biotechnology
Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II,
Rabat, Morocco
15

Find out who we are…
We, <strong>the</strong> BIO CIRCLE 2 team, are a consortium
aiming to foster international cooperation in <strong>the</strong>
Agri-Food Sector. We try to think and act both
locally and globally.
Our aim is to increase <strong>the</strong> participation <strong>of</strong>
researchers from outside Europe in research
<strong>project</strong>s under <strong>the</strong> Food, Agriculture, Fisheries
and Biotechnology <strong>the</strong>me (FAFB) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 7th
Framework Programme for Research and
Technological Development (FP7).
The <strong>project</strong> brings toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> National Contact
Points for FP7 in 18 different countries outside
Europe, and in 5 European countries. We are your
source <strong>of</strong> information to connect <strong>with</strong> FP7-FAFB
research. The BIO CIRCLE 2 <strong>project</strong> is funded by
<strong>the</strong> European Commission.
Why international research cooperation?
Research in <strong>the</strong> FAFB <strong>the</strong>me <strong>of</strong>ten addresses
challenges that are <strong>of</strong> global interest. Take, for
instance, <strong>the</strong> dual effect <strong>of</strong> agriculture on climate
change and vice versa, <strong>the</strong> need for amelioration
<strong>of</strong> use <strong>of</strong> water resources or even livestock
diseases common to South America, Africa and
China, or plants pests that occur in Australia,
India and North America. To find <strong>the</strong> best
solutions to <strong>the</strong>se problems in <strong>the</strong> most effective
way, collaboration is needed between researchers
from around <strong>the</strong> world.
What can BIO CIRCLE 2 do for you?
BIO CIRCLE 2 assists researchers from outside
Europe to improve <strong>the</strong>ir visibility in Europe. By
using research pr<strong>of</strong>iling and <strong>the</strong> Research * TC
<strong>publication</strong> (that you are holding), BIO CIRCLE 2
will promote scientific achievements from outside
Europe towards readers in Europe!
BIO CIRCLE 2 assists researchers in
streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>the</strong>ir capacity regarding FP7. Via
trainings organized locally or regionally,
researchers will be guided through a series <strong>of</strong>
administrative aspects <strong>of</strong> FP7 research <strong>project</strong>s,
starting by consortium building and <strong>project</strong>
proposal writing to financial reporting and <strong>project</strong>
auditing!
BIO CIRCLE 2 helps non European researchers to
network <strong>with</strong> European researchers providing for
a hosting scheme that allows Third Countries to
invite European researchers. Also, vice-versa,
BIO CIRCLE2 helps European researchers to
network <strong>with</strong> non European researchers providing
for a working visit scheme that allows researchers
outside Europe to visit European research
organisations.
BIO CIRCLE 2 also helps bring toge<strong>the</strong>r
European researchers and non European
researchers by organising 2 large partnering
events in Europe, <strong>the</strong> first <strong>of</strong> which you are most
probably attending, <strong>the</strong> Partnering Event on Call
FP7-KBBE-6-2012, held in Brussels on
15/07/2011.
More information?
Contact your National Contact Point for FP7-
FAFB research or see www.biocircle-<strong>project</strong>.eu
for <strong>the</strong> list <strong>of</strong> BIO CIRCLE 2 partners.
Contact person:
APRE - Agency for <strong>the</strong> Promotion <strong>of</strong> European
Research,
Ms. Chiara Pocaterra
(pocaterra@apre.it)
17

Research TC, Issue 3, April 2012
This <strong>publication</strong> has been produced under <strong>the</strong> BIO CIRCLE 2 <strong>project</strong> “Reinforcing <strong>the</strong> international cooperation in FP7
FAFB streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>the</strong> CIRCLE <strong>of</strong> Third Countries BIO NCPs”, contract no. 265608. BIO CIRCLE 2 is funded by <strong>the</strong>
European Commission – Directorate General for Research – 7 th Framework Programme.
The views expressed in this <strong>publication</strong> do not necessarily reflect <strong>the</strong> views <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> BIO CIRCLE 2 consortium, <strong>the</strong>
<strong>project</strong> partner organisations or <strong>the</strong> European Commission.
18