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

2. LONG-TERM STRATEGY OF R&D The main goals l to increase the efficiency of R&D system - to form knowledge-based society in Lithuania till 2015; l to strengthen links between research and industry and to do it in line with European practice in 7 years; l 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; l to increase production of high technologies till 20 per. of GDP in 10 years; l to integrate Lithuanian system of R&D into European one.

3. PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008 4 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.

4. PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008 4 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.

5. PRIORITIES OF R&D IN LITHUANIA Research 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 society Research of nanotechnologies Research of nuclear security R&D for creation of competitive Lithuanian industry: biotech, mechatronics, lasers and other high technologies

6. ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES AND UNIVERSITIES IN LITHUANIA

7. SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS OF AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE and academic institutes: Institute of Water Management Institute 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 INSTITUTES Institute of Agriculture Institute of Horticulture INSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTE Institute of Agrarian Economics under the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania

8. FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES OF LITHUANIA IN 2004

9. 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.

10. THE MAIN RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH L ithuanian Veterinary Academy 4 Institute of Animal Science, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy 4 Institute of Veterinary, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy 4 Lithuanian University of Agriculture 4 Institute of Immunology, Vilnius University Š iauliai University K aunas Medical University

11. Support to the organisations involved in animal science research 4 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. N ational programmes : Rural support programme ; Animal breeding programme State Science And Studies Foundation programmes : F ood safety program is under priority Non- financial support: Program o f Innovation in bussines (2003-2006 )

12. Priority scientific areas of Risk Assessment and Public Information Centre of LVA 4 Investigation of Toxoplasmosis in livestock and evaluation of risk on humans health 4 Incidence Campylobacter in food chain and evaluation of risk on humans health 4 Incidence of fungi in their toxins in raw food, consistent pattern of their accumulation in food and creation of safety implements for humans health 4 Comparison of livestock meat quality from organic and conventional production systems.

13. Main scientific directions of Food safety and animal hygiene department of LVA 4 Microscopic fungi and their produced mycotoxins spread in the feedingstuffs and in the grains intended for human consumption. 4 Researches of mycotoxins impact to the organism 4 Comparative tests of feedingstuffs and grains intended for human consumption in organic and chemicals using farms 4 Consistent patterns of mycotoxins cumulation in the foodstuffs and creation of preventive safety measures ( interdepartmental project ordered by State science and study fund)

14. Main scientific directions of Food safety and animal hygiene departmentof LVA 4 Researches of carcasses and meat quality of pigs grown in conditions of organic and intensive growing farms 4 New animals keeping ways (cold cows keeping in light construction farms) and their impact to animal health and quality of production 4 Possibilities of use of less aggressive disinfection stuffs for improvement of sanitary condition of animals and birds premises 4 Impact of different breeds to the quality of pigs carcasses.

15. NEW DIRECTION 4 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.

16. Projects on safety of non animal food under Foundation of State Science and Studies 4,,Plant Origin Functional Ingredients and Food Additives for Food Safety and Quality. 4 The project started in 2003, total budget – 820,000 LTL = 238,000 4 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

17. Projects on safety of non animal food under Foundation of State Science and Studies 4 Modern technologies to increase the safety of ready-to eat meals 4 The project started in 2005, total budget – 400,000 LTL = 116,000 4 Coordinator Habil. Dr. Z. Lukšienė Vilnius university, Institute of Material Sciences and Applied Research and Center of Allergology 4 Partners: 4 Kaunas university of Technology, Institute of Biochemistry, Lithuanian university of Agriculture

18. 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)

19. 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)

20. Other activities Participation in Eureka and COST programs Participation in FP6 projects : SSA INCO-CT-2004-003356 Lithuanian network Food Quality and Safety SSA SAFEFOODNET p roject Chemical Food Safety Network for the enlarging Europe

21. 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.

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

23. LONG-TERM STRATEGY OF R&D The main goals l to increase the efficiency of R&D system - to form knowledge-based society in Lithuania till 2015; l to strengthen links between research and industry and to do it in line with European practice in 7 years; l 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; l to increase production of high technologies till 20 per. of GDP in 10 years; l to integrate Lithuanian system of R&D into European one.

24. PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008 4 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.

25. PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR 2004 – 2008 4 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.

26. PRIORITIES OF R&D IN LITHUANIA Research 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 society Research of nanotechnologies Research of nuclear security R&D for creation of competitive Lithuanian industry: biotech, mechatronics, lasers and other high technologies

27. ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES AND UNIVERSITIES IN LITHUANIA

28. AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE and academic institutes: Institute of Water Management Institute 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 INSTITUTES Institute of Agriculture Institute of Horticulture INSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTE Institute of Agrarian Economics under the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania

29. 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.

30. 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

31. Žemės ūkio srities institutų gautų lėšų struktūra 2004 m.

32. FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES OF LITHUANIA

33. 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

34. THE MAIN RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH L ithuanian Veterinary Academy 4 Institute of Animal Science, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy 4 Institute of Veterinary, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy 4 Lithuanian University of Agriculture 4 Institute of Immunology, Vilnius University Š iauliai University K aunas Medical University

35. Support to the organisations involved in animal science research 4 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. N ational programmes : Rural support programme ; Animal breeding programme State Science And Studies Foundation programmes : F ood safety program is the under priority Non- financial support: Program o f Innovation in bussines (2003-2006 )

36. Priority scientific areas of Risk Assessment and Public Information Centre of LVA 4 Investigation of Toxoplasmosis in livestock and evaluation of risk on humans health 4 Incidence Campylobacter in food chain and evaluation of risk on humans health 4 Incidence of fungi in their toxins in raw food, consistent pattern of their accumulation in food and creation of safety implements for humans health 4 Comparison of livestock meat quality from organic and conventional production systems.

37. Main scientific directions Food safety and animal hygiene departmentof LVA 4 Microscopic fungi and their produced mycotoxins spread in the feedingstuffs and in the grains intended for human consumption. 4 Researches of mycotoxins impact to the organism 4 Comparative tests of feedingstuffs and grains intended for human consumption in organic and chemicals using farms 4 Consistent patterns of mycotoxins cumulation in the foodstuffs and creation of preventive safety measures ( interdepartmental project ordered by State science and study fund)

38. Main scientific directions Food safety and animal hygiene departmentof LVA 4 Researches of carcasses and meat quality of pigs grown in conditions of organic and intensive growing farms 4 New animals keeping ways (cold cows keeping in light construction farms) and their impact to animal health and quality of production 4 Possibilities of use of less aggressive disinfection stuffs for improvement of sanitary condition of animals and birds premises 4 Impact of different breeds to the quality of pigs carcasses.

39. NEW DIRECTION 4 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.

40. Projects on safety non animal food under foundation of State Science and Studies 4 Plant Origin Functional Ingredients and Food Additives for Food Safety and Quality. 4 The project has been started in 2003, total budget – 820,000 LTL = 238,000 4 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

41. Projects on safety non animal food under foundation of State Science and Studies 4 Modern technologies to increase the safety of ready-to eat meals 4 The project has been started in 2005, total budget – 400,000 LTL = 116,000 4 Coordinator Habil. Dr. Z. Lukšienė Vilnius university, Institute of Material Sciences and Applied Research and center of Allergology 4 Partners: 4 Kaunas university of Technology, Institute of Biochemistry, Lithuanian university of Agriculture

42. 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)

43. 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)

44. Other activities Participation in Eureka and COST programs Participation in FP6 projects : SSA INCO-CT-2004-003356 Lithuanian network Food Quality and Safety SSA SAFEFOODNET p roject Chemical Food Safety Network for the enlarging Europe

45. 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.

46. Its need 4 To increase internal and external communication between consumer groups, industry, authorities and the scientific community 4 To increase expenditures on R&D from funding from State budget; 4 To promote technical modernization of research basis; 4 To develop international co-operation in EU research programs.