(1)

The sectors of agriculture and forestry are highly exposed to climate change since they directly depend on climatic conditions while emissions from agriculture in the Union account for 14 % of global greenhouse gas emissions.

(2)

Climate change is one of the main challenges to agriculture in feeding the world’s population, which is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050.

(3)

Global demand for food is expected to have increased by 50 % by 2030 and to have doubled by 2050, in a time when demand for biomass for non-food purposes is predicted to grow strongly.

(4)

Agriculture and forestry face strongly increasing non-food demand for biomass, driven by mitigation efforts in other sectors and by the need to switch to a low-carbon economy.

(5)

Global stocks of some staple foods have declined, and peaks in food prices, such as those seen during 2008, may become more frequent if rising demand cannot be consistently matched by supply.

(6)

Climate change can affect crop yields, livestock management and the location of production, and can have important consequences for farm income, land use and rural economies in certain parts of the Union.

(7)

The agricultural sector of tropical and sub-tropical countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, is extremely vulnerable to climate change and any major food crisis in those regions would have an impact on Europe.

(8)

Concerted actions are needed to prevent that those combined risks lead to irreversible damage and to achieve a sustainable food supply under changing climate conditions.

(9)

This joint programming initiative is also relevant to the development of the common agricultural policy.

(10)

At its meeting on 3 December 2009, the Competitiveness Council recognised ‘Agriculture, food security and climate change’ as an area where joint programming would provide a major added value to the current, fragmented research efforts by Member States. It therefore adopted conclusions recognising the need to launch a joint programming initiative on the subject and inviting the Commission to contribute to the preparation of that initiative. The Council also reaffirmed that joint programming is a process led by Member States, with the Commission acting as a facilitator.

(11)

Joint programming in research in the area of agriculture, food security and climate change would encourage the pooling of skills, knowledge and resources, with a view to advancing research to address the challenge of food security and the threat brought by climate change, global population growth, and food and non-food demand.

(12)

In order to achieve the goals set by this Recommendation, Member States should cooperate with the Commission in exploring possible Commission initiatives to assist Member States in developing and implementing the strategic research agenda. Member States should also cooperate with the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research to ensure that the joint programming activities are coordinated with the wider agricultural research agenda.

(13)

In order for the Commission to be able to report to the European Parliament and to the Council, Member States should report regularly to the Commission on the progress made on this joint programming initiative,