On Wednesday the 28th of October, FarmTech Society International organised a panel discussion on the role of Controlled Environment Agriculture in enhancing biodiversity in Europe. In addition to an earlier feedback written, the discussion highlighted once more the potential for indoor farming to offset nature. The event was kindly hosted by Franc Bogovic, MEP. Mr. Bogovic engages in agriculture, rural and and regional development. He leads the Smart Villages Initiative, ensuring EU funding for pilot projects and preparatory actions.
The speakers represented a variety of stakeholders, with representatives from the CEA industry, technology, and policy.
Ard van de Kreeke | Manager and owner at Growx, one of the first vertical farms in the Netherlands. Previously a successful organic farmer. |
Mateja Kramar | Sustainability professional and serial entrepreneur at Microsoft Europe and has 30 years of experience. |
Dr. Andrew Jenkins | Research Fellow at TU Delft, his work is focussed on design solutions to optimise circularity and sustainability of urban agriculture. |
Nicole Thorpe | Director of Cultinova, creating digital solutions for efficient, transparent, and sustainable food production. |
Lodewijk Kleijn | Partner in HORIZON 11, a company with the goal to make the food supply chain healthier and more sustainable. |
Gijsbertus Schilthuis | Head of Unit of Policy Perspectives within EC DG AGRI, He is at the forefront of EU agricultural policy decision making. |
The panel was moderated by :
Tisha Livingston | CEO of Infinite Acres, creating the state of the art technology available for indoor farming. |
Stanislas Demeestere | Legal counsel for FarmTech Society and has a background in Policy Development on the topics of environmental law. |
Watch the opening statement by Franc Bogovic MEP here:
Co-Host Stanislas Demeestere introduces the different topics within the discussion: the question of land use, the need for policy instruments, and a comprehensive approach to both biodiversity and agriculture:
Co-Host Tisha Livingston asks the question what biodiversity regulations in agriculture mean for yield, and how CEA could pose an alternative:
How do policymakers jump on the future of farming? Gijsbertus Schilthuis discusses whether the EU is ready to implement policy which accommodates the full potential of CEA.
Watch the full discussion here. Timestamps on the video indicate questions and speakers, enjoy!
