Food and health: Innovation for safer and more sustainable production

Today, agriculture is about more than simply producing enough food. Consumers increasingly expect food to be safe, nutritious and high quality, while also caring about how it is produced. This means finding more sustainable ways to farm, improving animal health and welfare, and reducing reliance on pesticides and antimicrobials. These priorities are reflected in the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and across Europe, EU-funded projects are putting them into practice through new ideas and innovative solutions. 

More sustainable crop protection 

Stemphystress – “Controlling brown spot of pear: more than just fungicide treatments” – is looking for more sustainable ways to manage a disease that can cause serious losses for pear growers. Instead of relying mainly on fungicides, the project is testing different approaches, including ways to make trees more resilient, reduce plant stress and improve the microbial balance of the soil. The goal is to develop a more integrated approach to crop protection that reduces reliance on chemical treatments while supporting sustainable production. 

Healthier animals and fewer antimicrobials 

Animal health and welfare are another important part of sustainable food production. GO_INMUNOGEN – “Integration of genetic selection assisted by immunocompetence markers in cattle” – uses genetics to identify cattle that are naturally more resistant or tolerant to disease. This information can then be used in breeding programmes to support healthier and more resilient herds. In the long term, this approach could also help reduce the need for antimicrobial treatments while improving animal health and welfare. 

Safety and quality from production to the final product 

Food safety does not begin at the supermarket – it depends on what happens throughout the entire production chain. An Operational Group working with the Spanish dried fig sector is testing new ways to improve the safety and quality of dried figs, particularly by tackling toxin-producing fungi and mycotoxins. The project looks at every stage, from cultivation and harvesting to drying, storage and packaging, to find practical ways of delivering safer, higher-quality products to consumers. 

Together, these projects show just how broad the CAP’s focus on food and health is. Whether it is finding more sustainable ways to protect crops, improving animal health or ensuring the safety of the food that reaches consumers, innovation can help build an agri-food system that works better for both producers and society. 

Looking for more examples or inspiration for new ideas and partnerships? The EU CAP Network project database brings together innovative projects from across Europe, offering practical examples of how innovation can contribute to the CAP objectives and the future of European agriculture.