Acquiring knowledge – Exchanging findings The Basis for Innovation
Bern, 10.03.2008 - Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard | 5th IDF Symposium on Cheese Ripening
Technical Director,
Directors,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Swiss government it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 5th IDF Symposium on Cheese Ripening. It is an honour for Switzerland, and I personally am delighted that you chose Agroscope to organise this event. Agroscope is one of my department's research institutes. The pleasingly high turnout would seem to indicate that the programme has met with a great deal of interest. I hope that you will be comfortable with us and that you find the event informative. I would like to take this opportunity - on your behalf as well I'm sure - to thank the Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station for its work, and in particular the organisation team including Mister Bachmann, Mister Büttikofer and Mister Burkhardt!
As economic affairs minister, my portfolio not only covers economic and foreign trade policy, and of course agriculture, but also vocational education, applied research and innovation, which is why education, research and innovation are also among my priorities. Education research and innovation are key factors in terms of employment, living standards and prosperity, especially for countries like Switzerland, which are not blessed with natural resources. Through your research, ladies and gentlemen, you make a significant contribution to an area which is vital to Switzerland's agri-food industry.
Over a third of our agriculture's gross earnings are generated through milk production. And practically half of all milk production is processed into cheese. In Switzerland the equivalent of 20 kilograms of cheese is consumed each year per head of population. Considerations such as health, taste, quality and lifestyle are playing an ever greater role. Agroscope, for example, has been able to demonstrate that Alpine and mountain cheeses are particularly rich in bioactive peptides, which have health benefits. The great impact of cheese, both for consumption and for the economy shows the importance of the theme of your Symposium.
We place great emphasis on strengthening the impact of agricultural research.Just as in other fields, this research has to be as practice-oriented as possible and meet the needs of the economy and society. Only in this way can we achieve an efficient use of resources. Fundamental research in agronomy is conducted by the ETH Zurich, a world-renowned Federal Institute. Applied research is carried out under the umbrella of Agroscope in my department. And it is fully in line with our successful innovation policy.
- First: The findings from its research should swiftly be translated into products and brought onto the market thus providing consumers with added value. Science to Market is crucial for success.
- Second: We want to recognise the challenges and needs of the agri-food industry at an early stage and put forward practical solutions. In order to achieve that we need to have good researchers and adequate structures, but also strong links between research institutions and industry. I'm therefore very glad that a hub and platform for innovation exists in the shape of ‘Swiss Food Research', which brings together the relevant actors. I appreciate the fact and am grateful to the dairy industry, represented by Mr Riedener, CEO of Emmi AG, that it has also lent its support to the Symposium.
- Third: As the wheel of progress turns ever quicker in science as in other areas, there is a need to concentrate our forces. It has become almost impossible for an individual research station, like our organisers, Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux, to undertake competent research across the board and to the necessary depth. Specialisation, scientific exchange and international networking are becoming increasingly important. That's what this Symposium is for!
Switzerland cannot and has no desire to avoid the opening up of its markets. In a globalised market, factors such as quality, food safety and product traceability are ever more important. Profiles can be raised by means of products that are unique, that cannot be copied and have a clear origin backed up by strong brands. Agroscope, for example, developed special cultures for our AOC cheese where the traceability could be checked and consumers spared from deceptive products. At the same time the original is protected from being copied.
Because the Swiss agri-food industry is in need of long-term prospects, the Federal Council will soon tackle the subject of a possible take-up of negotiations with the EU on a full opening of the market in the area of agriculture and foods. Such an agreement would further improve the competitiveness of the Swiss agri-food industry. Both parties would benefit: the mutual market access for agricultural products is important for Switzerland as well as for the EU. Switzerland is the fourth largest consumer of agricultural products from the EU and absorbs 8% of its exports. Almost three-quarters of Swiss exports in the agri-food sector go to the EU. Incidentally, there has been free trade between Switzerland and the EU for cheese since last summer which has demonstrably proven to be beneficial for both sides. In 2007, 5.8% more cheese was exported than in the previous year - a new record.
As agriculture minister I take the needs of the Swiss population and of farmers seriously. In order to be able to address these needs, farmers need optimal framework conditions because consumers, for their part, are becoming increasingly demanding: greater quality, freshness and safety, ecological production or processing methods and the fair treatment of animals with transparent declarations. They have a great deal of confidence in Swiss foods and value the careful treatment of the environment and animals. They attach importance to local and regional products, and the fact that they know how they were produced and by whom. Some of our products like cheese, chocolate, wine and biscuits are well-known beyond our borders and have often won awards. We are not the land of cheese world champions for nothing!
The researchers from Agroscope, and you yourselves ladies and gentlemen, make a valuable contribution - and will continue to do so in future. Today, research must be able to supply sustainable solutions to relevant problems and do so in an increasingly global context. Responses have to be found for the challenges related to climate change and the safety of food production. That is why the new ‘NutriScope‘ research programme aims to provide consumers of agricultural products with the maximum in added value. That way the consumption of trace elements via dairy products is far more enjoyable than taking tablets or powders. Enjoyment and health don't have to be mutually exclusive! The partners involved in the programme achieve this by optimising the parameters that are decisive for the quality, safety, and health of food from sustainable domestic production all along the food chain - from cultivation to the end product.
I hope that this Symposium is beneficial for you as researchers and food producers, and for us as consumers, and provides you with solutions that you can put into practice. I will follow your progress with great interest. Agricultural research is important: Assuring a sustainable agri-food industry is not only a challenging task, but also a noble one. Food and intact natural resources are among man's existential needs. In that regard, we all bear great responsibility.
Thank you for listening. I hope you have an enjoyable stay in Switzerland and a successful Symposium!
I hereby declare the 5th IDF Symposium on Cheese Ripening open.
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Publisher
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch
