“Mutually beneficial connections”: Canada and UK team up to propel plant-based innovation

16 Jun 2023 --- Innovate UK is partnering with Protein Industries Canada (PIC) to bolster connections between the food sectors in both countries as the drive for net-zero and sustainable food chains intensifies.

Following last week’s talks in Ottawa, Canada, involving UK Science Minister George Freeman and Canada’s Minister of Science, Innovation and Industry, Francois-Phillipe Champagne, a new agreement has been reached to foster deeper collaboration on science and innovation between the UK and Canada. 

One such area of collaboration will see Innovate UK and PIC work together to advance innovation in plant-based foods.

Promoting plant-based synergies
The food industries in both countries have several elements that encourage collaborative and complementary working, particularly within the protein space.

According to both governments, Canada’s substantial plant-based protein production enables UK companies to obtain the ingredients they need to develop healthy and sustainable foods.

But there are opportunities to build a resilient market suitable for attracting further research and investment, and this new partnership is designed to drive this. 

As part of the collaboration, both bodies will work to introduce innovators from across each country’s food sector to create new partnerships, collaboration and knowledge-sharing. 

It will also boost access to new technology, processes, ingredients, markets, customers and areas for further research.Innovate UK and PIC will collaborate to advance innovation in plant-based foods.

“Our vision is to enable people to live longer, healthier lives, and we can achieve this by transforming our food system into one that is more productive, sustainable and resilient,” says Dr. Katrina Hayter, executive director, Healthy Living and Agriculture Domain at Innovate UK.

“Having the opportunity to learn and collaborate with counterparts in Canada is vital for ensuring that technology, practices and sustainability benefits continue to develop, and this partnership represents a landmark moment in bringing the expertise of both nations together in the plant-based foods space.”

“We look forward to supporting new connections and collaborations as the partnership develops, to drive the development and adoption of new technologies across the sector, and enabling the transition to net zero food systems.”

David Golding, head of Global Innovation at Innovate UK, adds: “There is a very strong and growing science and innovation relationship between Canada and the UK. By collaborating and leveraging complementary strengths, knowledge, and skills, we can better seize global opportunities, drive economic growth, and solve some of the major challenges facing society today and into the future.”

Delegates to hone in on alt-protein
CEO of Protein Industries Canada Bill Greuel comments that as Canada develops its national ecosystem, they are eager to work with “like-minded countries” who share the same commitment to growing the plant-based food sector. 

The partnership’s initial activities include making initial introductions between companies and stakeholders from both sides. 

In September, a delegation from across the UK food sector will attend PIC’s conference and AGM and another UK event is planned for the same month.

The partnership is looking to provide a joint funding opportunity later this year.

Edited by Gaynor Selby