Marking another important milestone in the development and rollout of the European Technology Platform (ETP) Food for Life, CIAA recently launched an online web consultation questionnaire. "The objective of this ETP Food for Life online consultation is to help pinpoint the key challenges for ETP Food for Life going forward vis-�-vis the original Vision Document, by gathering significant and qualitative input from a broad range of experts," says Peter van Bladeren, Chairman of the Board of ETP Food for Life.  "All this will feed into the creation of the ETP Food for Life Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), due to be published in April 2007. The SRA will define themes and priorities for future research which we strongly suggest to be included in the priorities of the 7th Framework Programme and beyond in the area of food."

The ETP Food for Life Vision for 2020 and beyond was launched in Brussels in July 2005. Subsequently an initial Stakeholders` Strategic Research Agenda (SSRA) was developed, on which input is now being sought.  Based on this input, a detailed Implementation Plan will be developed as part of the next step and this will be finalised by December 2007. This Implementation Plan itself will describe the research, training, education and dissemination needed to fulfil the vision and strategy behind ETP Food for Life.

Jean Martin, President of CIAA states "the web consultation process is open, transparent, balanced and inclusive. It ensures that the extensive consultation process now underway across Europe is objective and will ultimately reflect the interests and opportunities of stakeholders and interested experts."

The consultation process is now online. To take part, please go to http://etp.ciaa.be/webconsultation/welcome.asp