Food Consumption, Diet & Health: Funding Concept of the Bioeconomy Council for the Sector

Bioeconomy plays a key role in the innovation policy of the German Federal Government. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) have over the years funded various branches of the bioeconomy sector, but with a particular focus on plant science and white biotechnology. However, within the bioeconomy framework, social science research related to consumption and consumer behaviour has been inadequately represented and funded. The Bioeconomy Council recommends that the bioeconomy should seek and actively engage in and foster the dialogue with consumers and all stakeholder and social groups from the outset. The food and nutrition sector seems particularly suitable for this as it is readily accessible. The foundation for a successful dialogue, however, is social science research which determines the needs, expectations and habits of consumers, provides analyses and develops a wide range of tools in addition to appropriate forms of communication to enable consumers in their decision making for a more sustainable consumption and the healthy choice.
The present funding concept detailing the research challenges and needs was drafted by the working group ‘Nutrition and Health’ by Prof. Hannelore Daniel, Prof. Lucia Reisch and Prof. Ulrich Hamm. It was adopted by the Bioeconomy Council on 26.11.2013