PITA Project: Policy Influences on Technology for Agriculture: Chemicals, Biotechnology and Seeds

Technological innovation in the agrochemicals, biotechnology and seeds industries has the potential to deliver more socially and environmentally sustainable farming systems and to improve the quality of life. However, although a range of European policies could contribute to these outcomes, in practice they often counteract one another. The PITA project conducted an integrated analysis of policies and market-related factors; investigated their impact on the strategies and decision making of companies (MNCs and SMEs) and public sector research establishments (PSREs); and considered the implications of these decisions for employment, competitiveness and environmental benefits in Europe.