Module A: Pilot and Demonstration Chains

Status quo: 19 November, 2009

Objective
To facilitate cooperation with SMEs on pilot research and demonstration activities (of results from module I-VI) and develop inter-organisational collaboration along pork chains and networks.

In order to ensure a smooth implementation, coherence and complementarily, module A act as a service centre for piloting and demonstration activities in chains. Module A consist of two work packages: development of applied research pilot chains and SME networks on inter-organisational aspects (WP A.1) and demonstration activities in different European pork production and processing chains and nets (WP A.2).

Module A in collaboration with Module B (WP B.2) hosts the “Industry Liaison Office” that functions as a bridge between research and business. Several innovation teams integrated in pilot and demonstration chains aim to validate and implement research results. In this regard, the application oriented research on chain aspects together with mostly legally independent organisations is a major challenge. A multitude of players, mainly SMEs, from a variety of disciplines along pork chains have to be involved when preliminary results or demonstrated research findings are to be validated on a chain level. Eight pilot chains and two demonstration chains act as real-world laboratories and integrate research with 'on the ground' validation.

The Liaison Office supports industrial actors (especially SMEs) to participate in Q-PorkChains R&D activities by implementing and validating first research results integrated in pilot and demonstration chains. Four pilot chains have already started in 2008. The focus of four additional pilot chains and two additional demonstration chains has been decided in summer 2009. The selection of new industrial partners has been done by carrying out a competitive call. The call was open from the 9th of March till the 13th of May 2009. By the close of the call 18 proposals from nine countries have been submitted (the geographical distribution is illustrated in figure 1). The evaluation of the application took place at the 10th of June 2009 in Bonn. Beside the Project Coordination Committee (PCC), which consists of the project coordinator and the module coordinators, two external evaluators have been asked to assist the PCC in the decision process. You can find more information of the pilot and demonstration chains in the table “Q-PorkChains Pilot & Demonstration Chains” (enclosed in your folder).

Beside the support of industrial actors, the Liaison Office disseminates project results towards project internal and external actors of the meat industry. Regarding this activity, the Liaison Office is supported by regional partners. They are selected for their strong networks in the sector.

Figure 1: Geographical distribution of submitted proposals