This Friday IRTA Torre Marimon received an institutional delegation of the Four Motors for Europe (4ME), in a visit aimed at strengthening interregional collaboration in research, innovation and agri-food policies. The 4ME forms a cooperation network integrated by Catalonia, Baden-Württemberg, Auvergne-RhRone-Alpes and Lombardy, created in 1988 with the aim of strengthening the economic, scientific and social potential of these four leading regions of Europe.
Currently, Catalonia holds the presidency, and promotes strategic initiatives in areas such as competitiveness, innovation and sustainability, aligned with the role of 4ME as European economic and scientific engines, which together represent 36 million inhabitants and around 9% of the European economy. Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of the Generalitat de Catalunya, attended the occasion as a representative of Catalonia within the Four Motors for Europe project. The visit was attended by political and technical representatives from the four member territories.
The day began with the institutional reception by the general director of IRTA, Josep Usall, who offered the delegation a general presentation of IRTA, highlighting success stories and transversal research projects. He has been accompanied by the intervention of Llibertat Tusell, head of the Genetics and Animal Improvement program, who has exposed the advances of the BDporc project. The delegation has subsequently visited the bioprocess laboratory, guided by August Bonmatí, head of the Sustainability in Biosystems program.
The 4 Motors of Europe have held their first political meeting to share the future vision of the agri-food sector, the priorities of each region and the main common challenges, such as the UE’Mercosur agreement, the US tariffs, the African swine fever and the priorities of the CAP 2028–2034. Catalonia has presented the work done during its presidency, promoting the group of Sustainable Agrifood Systems, generating spaces for exchange, promoting the Dialogue of Young Farmers and preparing a proposal of priorities 2026–2030. In this context, the minister stressed that “the agri-food sector is the first industrial sector in Catalonia and generates an essential economic impact, with 18% of GDP and more than 177,000 jobs. Faced with the current challenges, the regions are calling for a fairer CAP that protects funds for rural development and guarantees generational change. The regions have a lot to say and it is time to make our voice heard in Europe.’ The meeting served to validate the strategic action plan 2026–2030 and consolidate the political forum with biannual meetings to strengthen interregional cooperation.
During the visit, the key role of the 4ME as a network promoting competitiveness, research, sustainability and the development of common policies between leading regions of Europe was highlighted. The 4ME works to strengthen innovation, promote the exchange of good practices and promote joint positions before European institutions in areas such as agri-food, the environment and economic development.
In the context of the Catalan presidency, the priorities include decarbonisation, the circular economy and competitiveness, as well as the consolidation of interregional cooperation in strategic challenges for the future of the agri-food and rural sector in Europe. The meeting has allowed European representatives to show the scientific and technological potential of IRTA, as well as to explore new ways of collaboration in the field of agri-food and environmental research.
Head of programme / Data science and pig breeding and management researcher specialist
