ERIAFF Plants

Description of the aims and goals of WG’s activities

Europe’s horticultural sector, known for its high quality and efficiency, plays a key role in delivering innovative solutions to support sustainability, climate resilience, and public health goals. The Plants Working Group collaborates to ensure that the strategic importance of this sector is fully recognised within European policy frameworks, including the European Green Deal.

Bringing together regions facing similar challenges, the group fosters cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives. It aims to strengthen innovation capacity, support sustainable production practices, and enhance the sector’s contribution to resilient and resource-efficient agri-food systems across Europe.

Challenges to address

There are several challenges that the Working Group wants to frame at European level:

• Addresses the impacts of climate change on horticulture and seeks to leverage European-level opportunities for adaptation and resilience
• Promotes the development of circular production policies, highlighting the need for approaches broader than organic farming alone
• Emphasises the importance of data sharing and open data to support innovation in high-tech horticultural production
• Advocates for the development of smart logistics to improve efficiency and sustainability across value chains
• Supports the use of advanced breeding technologies to enhance crop resilience and productivity

Member list