AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN LITHUANIA Angele Liubeckienė Head of the Quality division Food safety and quality department Ministry of Agriculture.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT IN LITHUANIA

Angele Liubeckienė Head of the Quality division

Food safety and quality department Ministry of Agriculture

LONG-TERM STRATEGY OF R&D

The main goals to increase the efficiency of R&D system - to form

knowledge-based society in Lithuania till 2015; to strengthen links between research and industry and to do

it in line with European practice in 7 years; to increase gradually (till 2015) the funds of all resources

assigned for R&D till 3 per. of GDP, 2 per. of which has to be funded by business sector;

to increase production of high technologies till 20 per. of GDP in 10 years;

to integrate Lithuanian system of R&D into European one.

PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008

Aims: to facilitate access to relevant databases for researchers, and create conditions for regional institutions to gain access to extensive collections of scientific and technical literature., to provide framework for private business investments in science, R&D; to review the mechanism of money allocation for science, by earmarking state commissioned and programme-based funding for science; to encourage a better quality in scientific research and its relevance in application; to develop new technologies facilitating the creation of new jobs.

PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008

To implement long term investment in fundamental scientific research. To build up the competitiveness of the Lithuanian science; increasingly rely on science in developing new technologies, which will contribute to the creation of new well-paid jobs; To support value-added innovative SMEs and increase their international cooperation; To utilize national and EU structural funds for the improvement of R&D infrastructure; To coordinate scientific priorities between Lithuania and other European countries, to provide conditions for joint action. To reduce brain drain and foster brain gain.

PRIORITIES OF R&D IN LITHUANIAResearch for ensuring the quality of human life:

– genomic and biotech for health and agriculture;– technologies of safety, safe and good quality food;– changes of ecosystems and climate.

Research for creating of knowledge-based societyResearch of nanotechnologiesResearch of nuclear securityR&D for creation of competitive Lithuanian industry:

biotech, mechatronics, lasers and other high technologies

ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES AND UNIVERSITIES IN LITHUANIA

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

AND SCIENCEAGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES

ANDUNIVERSITIES

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

COUNCIL OFAGRICULTURAL

SCIENCE

INSTITUTE OF

AGRARIAN ECONOMICS

COUNCIL OF SCIENCES

SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS OF AGRICULTURE

UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE and academic institutes:Institute of Water ManagementInstitute of Agricultural Engineering

ACADEMY OF VETERINARY and academic institutes: Institute of Animal Science Institute of Veterinary Studies Food Institute of Kaunas University of Technology

STATE INSTITUTESInstitute of AgricultureInstitute of Horticulture

INSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTEInstitute of Agrarian Economics under the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania

FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES OF LITHUANIA IN 2004

State funds,59%

Funds of Lithuanian ant internations

economy entyties,7%

Revenue of internation and

national projects, 5%

Revenue of sold products and

servicies,19%

Funds of the Ministry of Agriculture,

10%

Ministry of Agriculture

Organizes and coordinates the research in agriculture necessary for the implementation of the agriculture and rural development strategy, prediction of regional and structural policy of agriculture, coordinates the activity of the Scientific council of agriculture, participates in the activity of agricultural committees of the European Comission, regulating research and technological development.

THE MAIN RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Lithuanian Veterinary Academy Institute of Animal Science, Lithuanian

Veterinary Academy Institute of Veterinary, Lithuanian

Veterinary Academy Lithuanian University of Agriculture Institute of Immunology, Vilnius University Šiauliai University Kaunas Medical University

Support to the organisations involved in animal science research The total expenditure on R&D in 2004 year was 472.3

mill. Litas (or 136.787 mill. EUR) Expenditure on R&D as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) was 0.78.

National programmes: Rural support programme; Animal breeding programme

State Science And Studies Foundation programmes: Food safety program is under priority

Non- financial support: Program of Innovation in bussines (2003-2006 )

Priority scientific areas of Risk Assessment

and Public Information Centre of LVA Investigation of Toxoplasmosis in livestock and

evaluation of risk on human’s health Incidence Campylobacter in food chain and

evaluation of risk on human’s health Incidence of fungi in their toxins in raw food,

consistent pattern of their accumulation in food and creation of safety implements for human’s health

Comparison of livestock meat quality from organic and conventional production systems.

Main scientific directions of Food safety

and animal hygiene department of LVA Microscopic fungi and their produced mycotoxins

spread in the feedingstuffs and in the grains intended for human consumption.

Researches of mycotoxins impact to the organism Comparative tests of feedingstuffs and grains intended

for human consumption in organic and chemicals using farms

Consistent patterns of mycotoxins cumulation in the foodstuffs and creation of preventive safety measures ( interdepartmental project ordered by State science and study fund)

Main scientific directions of Food safety and animal hygiene departmentof LVA Researches of carcasses and meat quality of pigs grown

in conditions of organic and intensive growing farms New animals keeping ways (cold cows keeping in light

construction farms) and their impact to animal health and quality of production

Possibilities of use of less aggressive disinfection stuffs for improvement of sanitary condition of animals and birds premises

Impact of different breeds to the quality of pigs carcasses.

NEW DIRECTION

Diagnostics of animals’ health condition (of noncommunicable diseases) at the post-mortem expertise. Impact of animals’ health to the carcasses and meat quality and food safety.

Projects on safety of non animal food under Foundation of State Science and Studies

,,Plant Origin Functional Ingredients and Food Additives for Food Safety and Quality”.

The project started in 2003, total budget – 820,000 LTL = 238,000 €

Coordinator Prof. P.R. Venskutonis (Department of Food Technology, Kaunas University of Technology).

Partners:Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture, Food Institute of Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas Botanical Garden at Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Medical University, Vilnius University, Institute of Biochemistry

Projects on safety of non animal food under Foundation of State Science and Studies

Modern technologies to increase the safety of ready-to eat meals

The project started in 2005, total budget – 400,000 LTL = 116,000 €

Coordinator Habil. Dr. Z. Lukšienė Vilnius university, Institute of Material Sciences and Applied Research and Center of Allergology

Partners: Kaunas university of Technology, Institute of

Biochemistry, Lithuanian university of Agriculture

Programs on food safety under foundation of State budget

Research program „Search, development and implementation of new methods and systems for the assurance of food safety” is carried on.

Main research themes: investigation of organic acids in sour milk products; studies of mycotoxins in food products by HPLC; investigations of  dietary amines in food products. The identification of aflatoxines residues and amines in foods, determination of water activity and other food quality characteristics are performed.(LFI)

Programs on food safety under foundation of State budget

Research program „Identification of food microorganisms properties and development of microbiological analysis methods seeking to improve safety and quality of food products” is carried on. Main research themes: inhibitors in milk and meat: investigations and improvement of methods; investigation of properties of natural antimicrobial materials.(LFI)

Other activities

Participation in Eureka and COST programs

Participation in FP6 projects: SSA INCO-CT-2004-003356

„Lithuanian networkFood Quality and Safety“

SSA SAFEFOODNET project Chemical Food Safety Network for the enlarging Europe

Conclusion and recommendations

Whereas minor and middle agricultural companies still remain prevailing in the agricultural sector, they are not able to support science. That is why financial support for science institutions should be given more flexible method, taking into consideration specificity of this branch of science.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT IN LITHUANIA

Angele Liubeckienė, Head of the Quality division of Food safety and quality

department, Ministry of Agriculture

LONG-TERM STRATEGY OF R&D

The main goals to increase the efficiency of R&D system - to form

knowledge-based society in Lithuania till 2015; to strengthen links between research and industry and to do

it in line with European practice in 7 years; to increase gradually (till 2015) the funds of all resources

assigned for R&D till 3 per. of GDP, 2 per. of which has to be funded by business sector;

to increase production of high technologies till 20 per. of GDP in 10 years;

to integrate Lithuanian system of R&D into European one.

      PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008

Aims: to facilitate access to relevant databases for researchers, and create conditions for regional institutions to gain access to extensive collections of scientific and technical literature., to provide framework for private business investments in science, R&D; to review the mechanism of money allocation for science, by earmarking state commissioned and programme-based funding for science; to encourage a better quality in scientific research and its relevance in application; to develop new technologies facilitating the creation of new jobs.

PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008

To implement long term investment in fundamental scientific research. To build up the competitiveness of the Lithuanian science; increasingly rely on science in developing new technologies, which will contribute to the creation of new well-paid jobs; To support value-added innovative SMEs and increase their international cooperation; To utilize national and EU structural funds for the improvement of R&D infrastructure; To coordinate scientific priorities between Lithuania and other European countries, to provide conditions for joint action. To reduce brain drain and foster brain gain.

PRIORITIES OF R&D IN LITHUANIAResearch for ensuring the quality of human life:

– genomic and biotech for health and agriculture;– technologies of safety, safe and good quality food;– changes of ecosystems and climate.

Research for creating of knowledge-based societyResearch of nanotechnologiesResearch of nuclear securityR&D for creation of competitive Lithuanian industry:

biotech, mechatronics, lasers and other high technologies

ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES AND UNIVERSITIES IN LITHUANIA

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

AND SCIENCEAGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES

ANDHIGHER SCHOOLS

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

COUNCIL OFAGRICULTURAL

SCIENCE

NGO

LABOUR ECONOMICS AND

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

SERVICE

INSTITUTE OF

AGRARIAN ECONOMICS

AGRICULTURALADVISORY

SERVICE

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION OF

AGRICULTURALIST

AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES

UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE and academic institutes:Institute of Water ManagementInstitute of Agricultural Engineering

ACADEMY OF VETERINARY and academic institutes: Institute of Animal Science Institute of Veterinary Studies Food Institute of Kaunas University of Technology

STATE INSTITUTESInstitute of AgricultureInstitute of Horticulture

INSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTEInstitute of Agrarian Economics under the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania

Ministry of Agriculture

Organizes and coordinates the research in agriculture necessary for the implementation of the agriculture and rural development strategy, prediction of regional and structural policy of agriculture, coordinates the activity of the Scientific council of agriculture, participates in the activity of agricultural committees of the European Comission, regulating research and technological development.

COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE UNDER THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE OF LITHUANIA

Members represent: the Government

Lithuanian Academy of Science of all agricultural institutes and universities Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service NGO

Functions of the Council- coordinates agricultural research system and makes proposals in the field of agricultural studies and science;- makes proposals on the formation of rational rural development strategy;- makes proposals for the development of science, education and advisory system;-makes proposals for applied research funded by the MA

Žemės ūkio srities institutų gautų lėšų struktūra 2004 m.

Valstybės biudžeto lėšos

59%

Lietuvos ir užsienio ūkio subjektų lėšos

7%

Lietuvos ir tarptautiniai

projektai 5%

Pajamos už parduotą

produkciją ir suteiktas

paslaugas19%

Žemės ūkio ministerijos lėšos

10%

FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES OF LITHUANIA

57784144 3678 3982 3701

2761

1058 1513 1530 1395

725

764 731 628557

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

thou

s. E

UR

Others

Funds of the Ministry of Agriculture

State funds

Funding of agricultural R&D

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE ALLOCATES FUNDS FOR BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH FROM STATE BUDGET

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ALLOCATES FUNDS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTAL WORK, DEMONSTRATIONS FROM SPECIAL RURAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

OTHER RESOURCES ARE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS AND FUNDS OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

THE MAIN RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN ANIMAL SCIENCE

RESEARCH Lithuanian Veterinary Academy Institute of Animal Science, Lithuanian

Veterinary Academy Institute of Veterinary, Lithuanian

Veterinary Academy Lithuanian University of Agriculture Institute of Immunology, Vilnius University Šiauliai University Kaunas Medical University

Support to the organisations involved in animal science research The total expenditure on R&D in 2004 year was 472.3

mill. Litas (or 136.787 mill. EUR) Expenditure on R&D as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) was 0.78.

National programmes: Rural support programme; Animal breeding programme

State Science And Studies Foundation programmes: Food safety program is the under priority

Non- financial support: Program of Innovation in bussines (2003-2006 )

Priority scientific areas of Risk Assessment

and Public Information Centre of LVA Investigation of Toxoplasmosis in livestock and

evaluation of risk on human’s health Incidence Campylobacter in food chain and

evaluation of risk on human’s health Incidence of fungi in their toxins in raw food,

consistent pattern of their accumulation in food and creation of safety implements for human’s health

Comparison of livestock meat quality from organic and conventional production systems.

Main scientific directions Food safety

and animal hygiene departmentof LVA Microscopic fungi and their produced mycotoxins

spread in the feedingstuffs and in the grains intended for human consumption.

Researches of mycotoxins impact to the organism Comparative tests of feedingstuffs and grains intended

for human consumption in organic and chemicals using farms

Consistent patterns of mycotoxins cumulation in the foodstuffs and creation of preventive safety measures ( interdepartmental project ordered by State science and study fund)

Main scientific directions Food safety and animal hygiene departmentof LVA Researches of carcasses and meat quality of pigs grown

in conditions of organic and intensive growing farms New animals keeping ways (cold cows keeping in light

construction farms) and their impact to animal health and quality of production

Possibilities of use of less aggressive disinfection stuffs for improvement of sanitary condition of animals and birds premises

Impact of different breeds to the quality of pigs carcasses.

NEW DIRECTION

Diagnostics of animals’ health condition (of noncommunicable diseases) at the post-mortem expertise. Impact of animals’ health to the carcasses and meat quality and food safety.

Projects on safety non animal food under foundation of State Science and Studies

Plant Origin Functional Ingredients and Food Additives for Food Safety and Quality”.

The project has been started in 2003, total budget – 820,000 LTL = 238,000 €

Coordinator Prof. P.R. Venskutonis (Department of Food Technology, Kaunas University of Technology).

Partners:Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture,Food Institute of Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas Botanical Garden at Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Medical University,Vilnius University, Institute of Biochemistry

Projects on safety non animal food under foundation of State Science and Studies

Modern technologies to increase the safety of ready-to eat meals

The project has been started in 2005, total budget – 400,000 LTL = 116,000 €

Coordinator Habil. Dr. Z. Lukšienė Vilnius university, Institute of Material Sciences and Applied Research and center of Allergology

Partners: Kaunas university of Technology, Institute of

Biochemistry, Lithuanian university of Agriculture

Programs on food safety under foundation of State budget

Research program „Search, development and implementation of new methods and systems for the assurance of food safety” is carried on. Main research themes: investigation of organic acids in sour milk products; studies of mycotoxins in food products by HPLC; investigations of  dietary amines in food products. The identification of aflatoxines residues and amines in foods, determination of water activity and other food quality characteristics are performed.(LFI)

Programs on food safety under foundation of State budget

-Research program „Identification of food microorganisms properties and development of microbiological analysis methods seeking to improve safety and quality of food products” is carried on. Main research themes: inhibitors in milk and meat: investigations and improvement of methods; investigation of properties of natural antimicrobial materials.(LFI)

Other activities

Participation in Eureka and COST programs

Participation in FP6 projects: SSA INCO-CT-2004-003356

„Lithuanian networkFood Quality and Safety“

SSA SAFEFOODNET project Chemical Food Safety Network for the enlarging Europe

Conclusion and recommendations

Whereas minor and middle agricultural companies still remain prevailing in the agricultural sector, they are not able to support science. That is why financial support for science institutions should be given more flexible method, taking into consideration specificity of this branch of science.

Its need

To increase internal and external communication between consumer groups, industry, authorities and the scientific community

To increase expenditures on R&D from funding from State budget;

To promote technical modernization of research basis;

To develop international co-operation in EU research programs.