report
2.2.4.2 Current situation within the EU

Maximising output, minimising waste, and reducing the impact on the environment are key drivers for the agricultural industry.  The agriculture sector as a whole employs over 11 million people within the EU (approximately 2.3% of the population).  As such it represents a major opportunity for innovation to ensure that the EU progresses towards the Lisbon goals.  At present there appears to be little direct application of nanotechnology within agricultural production.  The exception is in the development of new delivery systems, in particular for pesticides.  Technologies developed for other sectors are, however, most likely to see agricultural applications in the future, including sensor technologies.  Applications utilising agricultural and forestry products (in particular those materials which would normally be classed as waste products) as the raw materials for new nano-composites are a promising area, both for the decreased reliance on non-renewable fossil fuel derivatives and the value-added technology.