Canada, China and Israel Launch Novel Cooperation Program to Stimulate the Research, Development and Commercialization of New Agricultural Technologies

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

OTTAWA, Ontario, July 28, 2009–International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada) today announced the launch of a trilateral R&D cooperation program between Canada, China and Israel for the sustainable development of agriculture and agri-foods. Senior leaders from the three nations convened at the Second Canada-China-Israel Roundtable on Agri-Innovation in Ottawa, Ontario to establish actions that advance the collaborative research and development of new technologies for agriculture and related fields, and that help bring them to market. The event will culminate in the signing of The Ottawa Declaration, and announce the first trilateral Call for Proposals (CFP) of its kind.

The roundtable breaks important new ground by establishing a novel model of R&D cooperation that aims to leverage the complementary R&D strengths of Canada, China and Israel, address common priorities, and help all participants to seize economic development and trade opportunities in the multi-billion dollar global market for agricultural technologies. The trilateral CFP will invite proposals that bring together researchers and developers from the three countries; that pursue the application of high technology in agriculture; and that articulate commercial opportunities for research results.

Organized by ISTPCanada, Agriculture Canada and the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (CIIRDF), this event builds on the outcomes of a first trilateral meeting hosted last November in Yangling, China.

“Canada is honoured to host this roundtable and to welcome such distinguished guests from two of its most important global Science and Technology (S&T) partners: China and Israel,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister of the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “Our trilateral cooperation promises to accelerate the development of a strong and sustainable agricultural sector that is spurred on by innovation, science and technology—setting example for others around the world.”

“Scientific advances in material sciences, nanotechnology, intelligent systems and other fields create tremendous opportunities for the agricultural and agri-foods sectors in Canada, China and Israel,” said Dr. Henri Rothschild, President and CEO of ISTPCanada and CIIRDF. “The novel model of R&D collaboration established today will harness the power of multidisciplinary and multilateral S&T partnerships to enable the sustainable use of marginal lands, improve the quality and safety of harvested foods, and help to free the world from hunger. This is an innovation in itself.”

“Our cooperation in agri-innovation with China and Israel creates many opportunities for Canada,” said Dr. Yvon Martel, Chief Scientist, International, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; and Chief Delegate, Canada. “It will showcase Canada’s R&D strengths on the global stage, unearth business development and trade opportunities for Canadian agri-food companies and other enterprise that enables technology-based innovations in agriculture, and help to facilitate their entry into new global markets”.

“The outcomes of this roundtable reinforce China’s commitment to the development and commercialization of new agricultural technologies,” said Mr. Yinliang Yao, Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province, Director-General of Yangling and the Administrative Committee, Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Industries Demonstration Zone, China, and Chief Delegate for China. “As Yangling (China) emerges as a global hub for early-stage technologies in agriculture, we look forward to providing our partners in Canada and Israel with a research-intensive site for the development, incubation and demonstration of these applications, and helping to facilitate access to the growing Chinese market.”

“The actions defined in the Ottawa Declaration will allow Israel to build on its many breakthroughs, including the efficient use of water, the development of marginal lands for productive agriculture, and scientific advances in computational biology, nanotechnology, material sciences and agriculture biotechnology,” said Dr. Ilan Chet, Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot; Previous President of the world renowned Weizmann Institute of Science, and Chief Delegate for Israel. “This trilateral collaboration will pool Israel’s unique expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge with that of Canada and China, and apply it to the development of new technology-based solutions for the agriculture and agri-food sector.”

About International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada)

ISTPCanada develops and implements R&D collaboration programs under Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation agreements between Canada and its key trading partners, including India, China, Brazil and Israel. Mandated by the Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, ISTPCanada facilitates the development of new R&D partnerships between Canadian companies, research organizations and their counterparts in other countries; invests in cooperative research projects with high commercial potential; and stimulates early-stage partnership development activity. In doing so, ISTPCanada develops new models of bilateral and multilateral collaboration that enhance Canada’s competitiveness through the increased use of international research-based alliances, and helps to strengthen Canada’s overall S&T, economic, trade and political relations with other nations. For additional information, please visit:www.istpcanada.ca.

About the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation

The Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation is an international role model for fostering innovation. The program grants seed money for basic advanced technological research and development to joint ventures of Canadian and Israeli small enterprises. Approved projects have demonstrated both commercial viability and outstanding contribution to the public good; for instance, cancer research. For additional information, please visit: www.ciirdf.ca .

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Sonya Shorey
Senior Communications Strategist
Cell: 613.851.9416
sonyashorey@rogers.com

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Canada, China and Israel Launch Novel Cooperation Program to Stimulate the Research, Development and Commercialization of New Agricultural Technologies