METROFOOD.BE: A Day of Discussion on Agri-Food Research and Expertise

On 9 October 2026, at the Storck Auditorium in Anderlecht (Brussels), researchers, experts and representatives of the agri-food sector will come together for a day dedicated to the activities of METROFOOD-RI and its national node, METROFOOD.BE. The event will provide an opportunity to explore the role of research infrastructures within the agri-food system, while also fostering new opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between the European and national levels. The day will open with an overview of the European perspective of METROFOOD-RI, presented by its coordinator, Claudia Zoani, followed by an update on the activities and developments of METROFOOD.BE. These contributions will provide an overall view of ongoing initiatives and of the opportunities that the infrastructure offers to the scientific community and the agri-food sector. An important part of the programme will also focus on the experiences of different national nodes, including a presentation on METROFOOD.CZ, as well as on the Belgian partners involved in the initiative. This exchange will provide an opportunity to highlight existing expertise, experiences and collaborations, while also exploring new opportunities for connections among the various stakeholders engaged in agri-food research and innovation. During the morning, attention will also turn to national expertise, the relevant policy context and future perspectives, with a contribution from BELSPO (Belgian Science Policy Office), the Belgian federal organisation responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of science policy at the federal level. These are key aspects for understanding how research infrastructures can continue to support the development of knowledge, expertise and tools for an increasingly innovative and interconnected agri-food system. The event will therefore be more than an opportunity to learn about the latest activities of METROFOOD-RI and METROFOOD.BE: it will also provide a valuable platform for strengthening dialogue between research, expertise and stakeholders, fostering new synergies at both European and national level.