AWARENET: Agro-Food Wastes Minimisation And Reduction Network

Abstract

Despite of the economic importance of the food sector, during the last EU Framework Programmes there has not been a global European vision addressing the environmental problems arising from agro-food wastes. AWARENET is the first Thematic Network for agro-food wastes prevention, minimization and valorization focused on five (5) main industrial sectors of high importance for European agro-food production, i.e meat, fish, dairy, wine and vegetables. The Network comprises 33 members – including two Newly Associated Countries – from 14 European countries (Spain, Hellas, Portugal, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Hungary), coordinated by the Spanish Technology Centre GAIKER. The European Commission’s GROWTH programme (5 FP) funds this initiative with a total budget of 1.475 M€ for three years (2001-2003). The main objective of AWARENET is the co-ordination of activities leading to the prevention, minimization and up-grading of agro-food wastes at a European scale. It is a discussion forum for information exchange and technology transfer which conclusions for the adequate management of agro-food wastes in Europe will be finally gathered in a “White Book”, which will be elaborated as a dissemination practical manual for European agro-food industries. Its main innovation is the integration of the agro-food industrial waste problem from three different and critical points of view: regulatory issues, technology and market, with the final objective to propose a global R&D European strategy for these wastes. Proceedings of the International Conference and Restoration of the Environment Skiathos, July 1-5, 2002, Pages 1877-1880 Editors: A.G. Kungolos, A.B. Liakopoulos G.P. Korfiatis, A.D. Koutsospyros K.L. Κatsifarakis, A.C. Demetracopoulos 1878 Protection and restoration of the environment VI