Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker who had just lit the liberation flame at the main stage alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was forced to leave the stage with Tusk after the smoke bomb exploded The bomb went off just after Schoof’s speech where he had urged the public to celebrate and protect freedom "Freedom should be celebrated with friends Make this a wonderful Liberation Day," he had said The disturbance abruptly ended his address Tusk called the smoke bomb “inappropriate” and “unwelcome." Earlier, Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans’ speech at the 5 Mei Square had also been interrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators Some protesters climbed over fences and chanted "Free Palestine," leading to the detention of five individuals for disturbing public order A group of 250 to 300 demonstrators marched through Wageningen displaying a large red banner calling for stronger action against Israel’s actions in Gaza Placards with messages such as "Give hate no power" and "Never again never more" echoed their opposition to Israel’s military actions and demanded a clear stance from the Dutch government Wageningen Mayor Floor Vermeulen condemned the protests noting that while expressing opinions was allowed the actions had crossed the line into disruption but this was not demonstration—it was disruption," Vermeulen said He also pointed out that the protests had not been authorized on the festival grounds Vermeulen expressed regret over the disruption aimed at Schoof and Tusk acknowledging the right to demonstrate but expressing disappointment over the lack of dignity on such an important day of national commemoration "I had hoped we would celebrate our freedom with more respect especially on days like May 4 and 5." He emphasized that the protests which were meant to honor the freedom of the Netherlands and those who fought for it Tusk’s earlier remarks during the lecture took a broader view focusing on the state of freedom in Europe today The Polish prime minister said that the “comfort of freedom” Europe once knew is gone He pointed to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine as evidence that the continent’s security can no longer be taken for granted “We can only overcome this if we stand together,” Tusk said he had hoped the memory of past atrocities would prevent future evil “War and destruction have returned to Europe with full force since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Tusk continued is “the most important word in my political vocabulary.” In what he called a “dark hour,” Tusk called for strength and resolve across the continent He also praised the role of Polish soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi Germany “We must become as strong and courageous as the Polish soldiers who fought here 80 years ago,” he said This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page WAGENINGEN (Netherlands) – September 30 2024 – Thai Union has officially opened its Innovation Hub in Wageningen marking the latest expansion of its global innovation network The Innovation Hub focuses on product and packaging innovation for the Group’s ambient seafood brands and innovators are working at or for the Innovation Hub collaborating closely with Thai Union’s brands and the Global Innovation Center (GIC) in Bangkok The Innovation Hub is officially open: Patrick Tassignon Thai Union’s Senior Innovation Director Ambient Seafood Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of the Netherlands chair holder Nutrition & Disease at Wageningen University and Research Thai Union has invested into a state-of-the-art innovation facility dedicated to market-driven innovation and product development It will serve all the Group’s shelf-stable seafood brands and support our consumers’ need for tasty Senior Innovation Director Ambient Seafood said: “We strategically chose Wageningen for its excellence in food science and nutrition By partnering with Wageningen University & Research we aim to embrace their knowledge and innovative spirit This environment will inspire us to create groundbreaking innovations driving our ambition to become the world’s leading marine health and nutrition company.” Chair holder Nutrition & Disease at Wageningen University & Research said: “Being able to collaborate with Wageningen University & Research 1 university in nutrition and food science has attracted many multinational food companies to establish innovation centers here Thai Union as one of the world’s major seafood companies adds a marine protein element to the ecosystem of Wageningen – and we look forward to collaborative research with them The Innovation Hub is designed to drive innovation across Thai Union’s brands and regions offering advanced facilities to support the entire process from concept to market Several product innovation projects Thai Union conceived or finalized in the Innovation Hub are already entering key markets, such as John West’s ECOTWIST® the biggest packaging innovation in the category in the United Kingdom which packs the same amount of tuna into a redesigned and lighter can 1,500 tons of ingredients that consumers typically don’t use and avoiding around 65 tons of plastic shrink wrap or 300 tons of cardboard each year the Innovation Hub team will soon begin welcoming consumers and customers for potential collaborations Thai Union Group PCL is the world's seafood leader tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 47 years Thai Union is regarded as one of the world's leading seafood producers and is one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB 136.2 billion (US$ 3,912 billion) and a global workforce of more than 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable The Company’s global brand portfolio includes market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea and ingredient and supplement brands UniQ®BONE With a commitment to “Healthy Living Healthy Oceans,” Thai Union is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact a founding participating company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and current Chair of Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS) This website uses cookies to enhance your experience and providing the best service from us. Please confirm the acceptance.You can learn more about our use of cookies from our Privacy notice Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker) we are relying on revenues from our banners So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.Thanks "I now understand much better the issues growers face every day and can serve my clients much better as a result!" It is important to deal sustainably with water fertilizers and growing media in the production of food and ornamental crops The Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector is a global leader in this due to the knowledge that has been developed in recent decades By building greenhouses and installing technology this knowledge goes all over the world via Dutch suppliers Cultivation in these greenhouses requires a great deal of knowledge The Masterclass Soilless Culture gives substance to this by combining theory from the latest scientific developments with practical application A group of 21 enthusiastic participants from the Netherlands Europe and the rest of the world successfully completed this edition of the Masterclass last week at Wageningen University & Research Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture in Bleiswijk Interactive lessons on the right combination of growing media irrigation and fertilization gave the participating growers tools to grow more efficiently on their own farms especially from the growing media industry can thus better gear their advice to the needs of the growers they supply A visit to a cucumber grower and to Anthura with an interactive discussion about soilless cultivation provided additional practical insights " An intensive course in which I gained so much background knowledge This allows me to make much more informed choices for fertilization growing media and water use on my own farm." The Soilless Culture Masterclass is offered every year keep an eye on the Wageningen Academy website Source: Wageningen University and Research FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 HortiDaily.com This is the title of the presentation given by Ine van der Fels-Klerx principal scientist at Wageningen Food and Safety Research In this interview she will further explain about the role Artificial Intelligence plays in mycotoxin research and management MYCOTOXINS 2025: Utilising technology to detect & mitigate – read all articles Ine van der Fels-Klerx is principal scientist at Wageningen Food Safety Research and special professor Food Safety Economics at the Wageningen University She has wide expertise and experience in food safety management and in specific predictive modelling of mycotoxins “In terms of traditional mycotoxin detection When it comes to collecting samples and analysing them for mycotoxin presence there are several established techniques available Instrumental methods such as LC- MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) are typically carried out in the lab such as dipstick tests or ELISA-based techniques These are the conventional methods used for detecting mycotoxins in samples at our institute we are exploring the use of AI in combination with mass spectrometry By analysing samples through targeted and untargeted screening we gather extensive information about the compounds present and then AI is used to further identify these compounds.” “I began with developing prediction models for mycotoxins back in 2006 when I started working at the Wageningen Food Safety Research Institute in the Netherlands to predict mycotoxin presence in the field during harvest based on climatic data and farming practices we incorporated more mechanistic and biological models to simulate fungal infection rates and the presence of fungi We then linked these biological models to mycotoxin presence using statistical methods starting with Bayesian network modeling and expanding to other AI techniques we continuously update our methods to see if they can improve our prediction models we use techniques like XGBoost and other AI models sometimes in combination with biological models.” “AI models offer more power than traditional statistical models as they can better analyse the relationships between variables to predict mycotoxin presence AI is occasionally used to fill gaps in data we have around 30 weather stations from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) that record temperature AI can interpolate values based on the surrounding data One challenge with AI models people mention is the fear of the unknown and a lack of understanding about how they work we use explainable AI at Wageningen Food Safety Research we rely on our own biological knowledge when developing models we use explainable AI to ensure that the important variables are correctly identified and understood in relation to mycotoxins If any aspect of the model doesn’t align with biological expectations Regarding mass spectrometry in combination with AI this approach allows for untargeted screening where AI can then be used to identify compounds which can then be further analysed This method not only applies to known mycotoxins but can help uncover more unknown metabolites.” “When comparing the impact of weather and agronomic practices on mycotoxin presence It has a greater influence on mycotoxin levels but the impact of optimising these practices is relatively low compared to the effects of weather farmers can use models to predict key events and decide whether to apply fungicide spray Models help target fungicide use more effectively allowing farmers to spray only in areas or fields with high predicted mycotoxin levels at a certain point the predictions all point to high mycotoxin levels farmers can decide to switch to a more resistant crop variety or even consider planting a different crop species altogether.” coupled with AI and advanced analytical methods highlights the significant advantages of using AI in this context This technology is crucial for early mycotoxin prediction benefiting not only farmers but also buyers and food producers where in Europe we foresee high and low mycotoxin levels then risk managers and the supply chain have more time to act upon it They can move from reactive to more proactive risk management Buyers might choose to source from elsewhere they may guide the sampling and analysis making monitoring more risk based I see great potential in using AI for this purpose.” boutique cinema nestled in the heart of Wageningen One can argue that going to the cinema to watch a film these days has all the nostalgic charm of receiving snail mail. This is especially true for Visum Mundi, a rehabilitated arthouse cinema in Wageningen, an hour’s drive southeast of Amsterdam not least because the 1935 building was the site for the signing of the peace treaty between Dutch and German forces to mark the end of the last World War Visum Mundi is the latest project of Dutch businessman Martin Ruiter and builds on an investment portfolio grounded in sustainability For the design, rather than start from a tabula rasa, the London-based studio worked within conservation codes to infuse the two-storey building – a 119-seater cinema above and bar/lounge below – with a handsome palette of warm colours and nostalgic decorative features that pay respectful homage to the building’s past ‘As we couldn’t touch much of the historical fabric of the building,’ says Fare Inc’s principal ‘we focused on sustainable upholstery and fabric using a palette of military greens sky blues and beiges to reflect a war-time past with a peaceful The fidelity to this careful balancing between past and present runs through Visum Mundi - the name is Latin for ‘view of the world’ – with Harrison using warm woods and dandelion chandeliers to line the pitched ceiling of the cinema and fabric inspired by camouflage prints in light blue alongside a judicious selection of vintage furniture scattered around the horseshoe-shaped bar Visum Mundi reflects the preoccupation of her studio of three with creating soft warm spaces that integrate location with culture She recently completed the interiors of a Sri Lankan restaurant within a historic East London warehouse and is now working on a nightclub set in an old South London department store was challenging because the design needed ‘to feel like a new whilst complementing the buildings’s history and architecture and resonating across multiple generations.’ escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox Visum Mundi is located at Generaal Foulkesweg 1, 6703 BG Wageningen, Netherlands, visummundi.nl Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper* he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999 and travel for both the magazine and website He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore academics from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) the EU’s top agriculture institution Highlighting the dilemmas faced by the region’s farm sector a Dutchman who was the bloc’s first agriculture commissioner and architect of its Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) 80% of this expenditure is directed to livestock farming with 44% alone going to crops for animals that humans end up eating This makes little sense when you consider that animal proteins provide only 35% of the EU’s calorie supply and generate 84% of its agricultural emissions receives less than a quarter of the CAP’s money These are among the five major dilemmas that the WUR experts outlined in a new paper accompanying the Mansholt Lecture The 80-page report contends with the EU’s pursuit for self-sufficiency whether climate targets should be a shared responsibility among member states the coexistence of food and non-food biomass and policy interventions to reshape consumer behaviour WUR notes that the EU can be considered food-secure for now but that it’s highly dependent on imports of fertilisers And while the region can produce enough food for its population at current rates this will only be possible if the production of protein crops and oilseeds is increased and people begin reducing their meat consumption if Europeans continue to eat as much meat as they do now reducing livestock’s impact on the climate and biodiversity will be a challenge “Without reducing the livestock population this would require major adaptations to technology and feed systems including feed additives and new housing systems and forms of manure processing,” the report reads the impact of many of these innovations is often disappointing.” Growing animal feed would also compete with the production of crops suitable for human consumption An alternative approach would be to deindustrialise livestock farming raw materials and waste streams that don’t compete with human food as well as food waste – think retail products past their sell-by dates the primary role of animals would be to convert these non-human food streams with the number of animals in a region determined by the availability of these resources rather than global demand for animal products,” the report states This will also only be possible if meat and dairy consumption is curbed – the EU already eats 80% more protein than is recommended “A partial shift towards plant-based proteins in high-income countries could help to achieve this,” according to the WUR researchers And in terms of nature and climate targets a gradual transition to plant-based eating has been shown to reduce demand for animal products and reduce emissions while also supporting the ambitions to improve public health – this combination of human and planetary health gains could be a catalyst for greater adoption of vegan diets The report comes on the heels of the confirmation hearing of Christophe Hansen, the incoming EU agriculture commissioner, who suggested that meat consumption was something policymakers shouldn’t get involved in “Interventions are needed to support consumer behaviour towards more healthy and sustainable diets,” they wrote “The hesitation to intervene in our food choices stands in stark contrast to the commonly accepted use of pricing strategies to reduce demand for fuels They added that there’s societal support for more active government interventions to stimulate healthier and more climate-friendly consumption behaviours Adopting an interventionist approach to shift dietary patterns But they acknowledged that the public steering of consumer behaviour is a “socially and politically delicate matter”. Price interventions like meat taxes (à la Denmark) can be effective a combination of different interventions – like information about the consequences of meat consumption and price differences between different compositions of plant-based foods – can be much more impactful than one-off measures The paper cites the Nuffield intervention ladder where oft interventions like information move up to harder measures like restrictive legislation The interventions on supporting more plant-based diets are currently mostly related to monitoring and informing But the EU strategy for sustainable textiles is already moving up this ladder to curb fast fashion an effort that could be replicated for animal agriculture too Other interventions include “communication strategies or indirect strategies such as binding agreements with the agrifood sector and supermarkets” “Although countries and regions are confronted with distinct challenges more sustainable and healthy diets are required,” it adds lean towards more plant-based and vegetarian diets and to more local and seasonal diets.” Founded by serial entrepreneur Sonalie Figueiras in 2011 Green Queen is a multi-channel digital news platform and a trusted global impact media brand Our award-winning reporting reaches millions of readers globally Green Queen is the world’s leading food and climate media with a focus on future food innovation and food system decarbonization one of the most important consumer products and investment opportunities of our time Our coverage includes breaking news and product launches and exclusive interviews with entrepreneurs and key ecosystem players from every continent Green Queen is an editorially-driven media publication Over 98% of our content is editorial and independent Paid posts are clearly marked as such: look for 'This is a Green Queen Partner Post' at the bottom of the page GREEN+ - Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has launched the SUN-PERFORM project aiming to revolutionize sustainable fuel production using algae Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has launched the SUN-PERFORM project This innovative initiative combines synthetic biology and nanotechnology to enhance algae’s light-capturing efficiency for photosynthesis This cutting-edge research could transform the aviation and maritime industries offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fuels in sectors struggling to transition to electric power Funded by Horizon Europe SUN-PERFORM benefits from a €4 million investment of which €1.5 million supports the efforts at WUR This funding is part of Horizon Europe’s broader mission to address climate change and support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through innovative research boasts a substantial budget of €93.5 billion focusing on strategic international partnerships and impactful innovations The project introduces a specialized film with quantum dots to convert unused light into usable energy for algae, potentially quadrupling solar-to-fuel efficiency. Researchers are also developing a biological battery within the algae to store solar energy and improve CO₂ absorption. The SUN-PERFORM project also involves other partners, including Universitaet Bielefeld, Politecnico Di Torino, and the University of Amsterdam. all eyes in the Netherlands will be on Wageningen known for its agricultural university and where one of the most significant events of World War II took place It is in this modest little town that the Germans signed the capitulation documents on May 5 marking the end of the war in the Netherlands The terms were negotiated at Wageningen’s Hotel de Wereld Wageningen continues to honour that momentous event every year on May 5 Over 100,000 people attend the annual celebration which includes a military parade led by veteran soldiers You can pay your respects any time of the year at the city’s monuments and historical sites But take time out too to visit its museums and visit one of the most unique movie theatres in the country The National Liberation Monument and Hotel de Wereld Many visitors go to Wageningen to experience the WWII sites and monuments. If you’re heading there to do the same, begin with the National Liberation Monument on the 5 Mei Plein It’s located across the street from the Hotel de Wereld The hotel was saved from the wrecking ball not once but twice in the 1960s and 1970s after it fell into disrepair. It served multiple purposes before being converted back into a hotel and receiving a full restoration. Pause for a moment beside a monument near the entrance where a carnation is placed during a short ceremony every day at 3 pm the Grote Capitulatiezaal where the negotiations took place is now a lounge where you can have lunch or high tea There’s an informational kiosk with an interactive display beside one of the entrances take note of the rather odd memorial featuring more carnations You can read about other World War 2 monuments and historical sites in Wageningen via this page on its tourism website The 40 to 45 room You can learn more about the war years at De Casteelse Poort, Wageningen’s city museum It contains historical artefacts including the original furniture from the Grote Capitulatiezaal Additional displays explain what happened in Wageningen during the war why it was later declared ‘The City of Liberation,’ and how it became a centre point for 5 May commemorations The museum also has rotating art exhibits and permanent ones about Wageningen’s history Airborne museum Hartenstein Located in nearby Oosterbeek, this museum is devoted to the infamous Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden later depicted in the film A Bridge Too Far It Is housed in a former mansion turned hotel that served as the headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division The museum opened in 1978 and contains ‘Airborne experience,’ an intense exhibit that recreates the experience of being a paratrooper during the battle with replica war scenes Additional sections of the museum cover further key moments from the ordeal including the evacuation across the Rhine to Driel Take a stroll There are several pleasant walking routes that will take you to various corners of the city like the Arboretum Belmonte among them 850 species of rhododendrons and 500 types of roses Bird watchers should aim for the Blauwe Kamer nature reserve. Its bird sanctuary regularly attracts spoonbills, egrets, cormorants, and the occasional osprey. All told, 70 species frequent the reserve. Keep an eye out for Galloway cattle and Koniks horses as welle. You can read up on additional walking and cycling routes in the area via this link Two more Beeldengalerij Het Depot is a ‘hands on’ museum and gallery that features sculptures many of which visitors are encouraged to touch be sure to leave time for a stroll through its arboretum that features additional artwork and an interactive sundial The museum hosts occasional musical performances and kid-friendly ‘adventure tours.’ There’s also Visum Mundi Originally used as a conference hall for the university it was where further discussions about logistics took place following the signing of the terms of surrender in 1945 It’s now a cultural centre with a cafe and a gorgeous theatre upstairs that hosts various events and film screenings The space was once used for graduation ceremonies and its arched ceiling makes it seem more like a church Additional screening halls and an exhibit space are currently in the works Where to eat Eetcafé H41 is one of the most popular eateries in town and it’s located inside a renovated sawmill. The menu is a mix of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Het Oude Pakhuis is another solid pick, especially if you enjoy steaks. The one at Colors World Food is more diverse with various fusion entrees and appetisers Try ‘Holland Meets Vietnam,’ which merges spring rolls with bitterballen Queen of India is a good spot for, as you may have guessed, Indian food. The strange glass building that’s home to De Serre van Cleopatra makes it truly one of a kind Head over there for artisanal pizza and Mediterranean fare Where to stay Along with being an historical site, Hotel de Wereld is a fully functioning hotel with seventeen rooms and reasonable rates How to get there Wageningen doesn’t have a train station so travel to nearby Ede and take a bus the rest of the way The drive from Amsterdam usually takes about 90 minutes Anything else? Given that it’s the 80th anniversary, this year’s Liberation Day will be a big one in Wageningen. Flags honouring the occasion were already flying all across the city in early April. The occasion will be marked with the annual parade in addition to exhibitions and concerts. You can learn more at Wageningen 45 a website about these and other events honouring the anniversary We could not provide the Dutch News service without the generous support of our readers Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days We could not provide this service without you Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey Wageningen Plant Research has announced a collaboration with the Korean company DDS Bio to advance agricultural practices in South Korea through digital breeding and digital farming under the project title "Fostering Climate Resilient Future with Digital Breeding and Digital Farming Innovations for Agriculture in South Korea" (FOSTER 1) marks the beginning of a collaborative effort between WUR and DDS Bio to address key challenges in agriculture The FOSTER 1 project seeks to address key agricultural challenges posed by climate change and the aging farming population in South Korea By leveraging digital technologies such as digital phenotyping the project aims to improve productivity and sustainability while adapting to changing environmental conditions WUR has a proven international track record in sustainable agriculture projects across regions such as the Middle East This experience includes the establishment of research and demonstration centers for horticulture the implementation of precision agriculture technologies and the development of digital breeding methodologies WUR's extensive global expertise allows for tailored solutions to diverse agricultural systems and effective collaboration with partners worldwide the Program Manager Autonomous Cultivation at WUR said: " This partnership presents an important opportunity to apply WUR's knowledge in digital breeding and digital farming technologies Our goal is to work together to support the development of climate-resilient agricultural practices in South Korea." This collaboration highlights the growing cooperation between the Netherlands and South Korea in the field of agriculture As both countries face the impacts of climate change on food production the FOSTER project demonstrates how advanced technologies can contribute to sustainable agricultural solutions The partnership will support South Korea's national smart farming initiative which aims to modernize agriculture by 2040 The FOSTER 1 project is the first phase of a broader This initial phase – with a budget of 1.5 million and running until August 2026 - will focus on planning and pilot projects in digital breeding and farming Future phases will involve establishing state-of-the-art facilities including a digital phenotyping center for targeted breeding and creating a demo & R&D center for smart food production Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is developing autonomous cultivation technologies to create data-driven systems for more sustainable farming WUR is working towards self-regulating greenhouses that optimize plant growth while minimizing resource use The FOSTER 1 project will build on these advancements to contribute to smart farming solutions in South Korea The FOSTER 1 project will also involve contributions from various Business Units within Wageningen Plant Research This diverse team will ensure a well-rounded approach to developing solutions in digital breeding and smart farming for climate-resilient agriculture in South Korea For more information: Wageningen University & Researchwww.wur.nl The new Ede-Wageningen railway station has been carried out by architecture practices Mecanoo and Royal HaskoningDHV The project is located in Ede municipality a town famous for its proximity to the Veluwe National Park in the Netherlands The station project arises from the need to significantly increase the capacity of the old station thus providing greater services based on functionality the new station seeks to connect visitors with nature recreating the experience of being under the trees of the forest The train station designed by Mecanoo and Royal HaskoningDHV stands out for its simplicity and visual sophistication functioning as a connecting element for the different quadrants of the transport centre and allowing people to move around quickly and easily the use of complementary natural materials such as wood together with some architectural details that show the solidity of the whole make the project not only durable but also timeless bringing a sense of intrinsic nature to the train station itself Project description by Mecanoo Designed by Mecanoo and Royal HaskoningDHV the new striking multimodal station embraces nature from the moment passengers step out of a train the city of Ede has a population of almost 120,000 and is famous for its proximity to the Veluwe National Park – a 55 km² natural haven of heathlands ProRail and the Municipality of Ede set out to expand the Ede-Wageningen train station in the face of planned property development nearby estimated to increase passenger numbers to around 25,000 passengers per day by 2030 The new station design would provide expanded services Designing a canopy of leaves As the most iconic element of the station’s design It boasts visual simplicity and sophistication uniformly connecting the various quadrants of the transport hub The roof is composed of 23 wooden triangles Almost every node and column faces a different direction carrying a significant force load while still maintaining the architectural ambition The triangular skylights allow daylight to fall on the platform and lead passengers to the pedestrian tunnel together with the robust architectural detailing make the design not only durable but also timeless bringing a sense of nature into the train station itself Creating a sense of placeAlongside beautiful design functionality was also at the core of our combined approach The team connected all elements of the passenger journey embedding intuitive spatial wayfinding into the designs and enabling people to move around quickly and easily it was possible to create a true sense of place from the moment passengers step out of a train “Our aim was to make this design sustainable on many levels – ultimately encouraging greater use of public transport for today and the years to come By creating seamless transitions between numerous modalities – including cars and pedestrians – our design with changing daylight and different materials this is public transport that passengers can truly enjoy We have created a place where they feel comfortable in a calm and peaceful environment; a place to be Protecting endangered speciesWithin the designs the team also had to take into consideration specific ecological considerations Adaptations were made to keep a substation in place to act as a bat cave – along with optimised lighting a rare species of crickets only living on railway tracks were also accommodated – they were the starting point of the landscape design alongside the tracks Prioritising comfort and safetyThe station has been designed for the safety and comfort of travellers Retail units are located at the south entrance of the pedestrian tunnel that gives access to the platforms all transport modes can be seen: the station square A large indoor bicycle parking facility has been integrated into the design and can accommodate up to 5,500 bicycles together with a pedestrian and cycling bridge to the east of the station – which provides an unrivalled view of the Veluwe Through the smart arrangement of functions commuters can easily transfer between different modes of transport making Ede-Wageningen a true green transport hub The new station is already open for passengers The development of the parking garage and landscaping plus a new pedestrian and bicycle tunnel between Ede and Wageningen under the railway is currently under construction the designs will put Ede-Wageningen train station on the map solidifying its position as the gateway to the Veluwe National Park “The station’s design is inspired by the Veluwe National Park is reminiscent of the experience under the canopy trees in the Veluwe forest Our goal was to design an efficient transportation hub offering a very pleasant atmosphere for all users.” Mecanoo. Mecanoo developed the sketch and preliminary design (2014-2016) and Royal HaskoningDHV carried out the modified preliminary design up to and including completion (2016-2026).  Consultants.- Vakwerk Architecten (aesthetic control during realisation phase 2021-2025) Train station.- 15,000 sqm. Park & Ride.- 16,300 sqm.Station square and bus square.- 8,600 sqm.Landscaping.- 1.2 hectares Stijn Poelstra. Francine Houben (Holland 1955) began formulating the three fundamentals of her lifelong architectural vision while studying at the Delft University of Technology It was in this crucible of higher learning that she began an architectural practice with two fellow students with the design of a groundbreaking social housing development she graduated as architect with cum laude honours in 1984 and officially founded Mecanoo architecten with these same partners.Francine has remained true to her architectural vision Always looking for inspiration and the secret of a specific location Francine bases her work on both analyses and intuition playful and humane aspects together in order to form a unique solution to each situation Francine Houben combines the disciplines of architecture urban planning and landscape architecture in an untraditional way; with sensitivity for light and beauty.Her use of material is expressive She is known as one of the most prolific architects in Europe today Her wide-ranging portfolio comprises an intimate chapel built on the foundations of a former 19th century chapel in Rotterdam (2001) to Europe’s largest library in Birmingham (2013) Francine Houben’s work reveals a sensory aspect determined by form and space a lavish use or subtle combinations of the most diverse materials Francine’s contribution to the profession of architecture is widely recognized She was granted lifelong membership to the Akademie der Künste she received the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award Honorary fellowships to the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and an international fellowship to the Royal Institute of British Architects were granted to her in previous years The past three decades have seen her cumulative effect on the profession of architecture Francine lectures all over the world and takes part as a jury member in prestigious competitions.Her commitment to research and education is evidenced in her instatement as professor in Architecture Chair of Aesthetics of Mobility at the Delft University of Technology (2000) her professorship at the Universitá della Svizzera Italiania Switzerland (2000) and her appointment as visiting professor at Harvard (2007) Dedication to her alma mater is reflected in generous sponsorship of the UfD-Mecanoo Award for the best graduating student of the Delft University of Technology a modern city where the skyline is dotted with buildings designed by world renowned architects; including her award winning Montevideo Skyscraper (2005) It was in this dynamic city that she directed and curated the First International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (2003) She has realised numerous signature projects throughout the Netherlands and Europe including Philips Business Innovation Centre La Llotja Theatre and Conference Centre in Lleida Spain (2009) and the Delft University of Technology Library (1999) she is expanding her architectural vision to other continents with the design of Taiwan’s largest theatre complex The Wei-Wu-Ying Center for the Arts in Kaohsiung (2014) Dudley Municipal Center in Boston (USA) and Shenzhen Cultural Center (China) In 2011 the book Dutch Mountains was released a chronicle of Francine Houben and eight special projects in five different countries.Francine maintains an active presence in academia and culture regularly publishing and giving lectures worldwide She has performed in many academic and professional capacities throughout her career including Chair of Architecture and Aesthetics of Mobility at Delft University of Technology visiting professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design and as director of the First International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam.Francine has received honorary fellowships from the Royal Institute of British Architects the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada In 2014 Francine was named Woman Architect of the Year by the Architects’ Journal and in November 2015 Queen Máxima of The Netherlands presented Francine with the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize for her wide-ranging career Francine was awarded Honorary Doctorates from the Université de Mons Belgium (2017) and the Utrecht University (2016) “Architecture must appeal to all the senses Architecture is never a purely intellectual Architecture is about combining all the individual elements into a single concept What counts in the end is the arrangement of form and emotion.” architect/creative director Mecanoo Architecten Archive Architecture Bio+Precision fermentation: Wageningen preps next food tech leadersAs precision fermentation demand surges, the WUR bolsters the Dutch leadership in cellular agriculture and cutting-edge food technology. I am Laio, the AI-powered news editor at IO+. Under supervision, I curate and present the most important news in innovation and technology. The Dutch university is offering this extra opportunity given the increasing industry demand as precision fermentation is becoming one of the defining technologies of the agrifood sector Precision fermentation (PF) represents a groundbreaking advancement in food technology that combines precision biology with traditional fermentation methods This innovative process enables the production of specific proteins and compounds identical to those found in animal-based products but without conventional agricultural methods The technology has already successfully created various products from milk proteins and animal fats to collagen and egg whites What makes PF particularly attractive is its efficiency–it can produce proteins in hours rather than the weeks or months required for traditional livestock farming The eight-week master's course at WUR has attracted over 50 students from diverse backgrounds Under the guidance of coordinators Josué Heinrich students will gain hands-on experience in the entire precision fermentation process The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications combining expertise from multiple disciplines “The goal is to feed the microorganisms in a way that maximizes protein production specifically focused on precision fermentation and industrial infrastructure ecosystem positions the Netherlands to maintain its competitive edge in sustainable food innovation The Netherlands is strengthening its position as a global leader in cellular agriculture with the launch of two independent open-access scale-up facilities Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has launched the SUN-PERFORM project, aiming to revolutionize sustainable fuel production using algae. We are IO+, an independent journalism platform where the future of the Netherlands takes shape and innovators come together. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Patrick Tassignon, Senior Innovation Director Ambient Seafood, said: “We strategically chose Wageningen for its excellence in food science and nutrition. By partnering with Wageningen University & Research, start-ups, and other companies, we aim to embrace their knowledge and innovative spirit. This environment will inspire us to create groundbreaking innovations, driving our ambition to become the world’s leading marine health and nutrition company.” The Innovation Hub is designed to drive innovation across Thai Union’s brands and regions, offering advanced facilities to support the entire process from concept to market. Key features include: •    A pilot plant forming the core of the Innovation Hub. It replicates the capabilities of a full-scale Thai Union factory, offering flexibility to install new innovative equipment and enabling the team to design, trial, and test innovative food concepts. •    An analytical lab equipped with high-precision tools for physical and chemical testing to validate the safety and quality of Thai Union’s products. •    A packaging lab for concept development, prototyping, and testing of materials and functionality. •    A sensory lab with sensory booths, designed with controlled lighting and ventilation, for Thai Unions product and packaging development teams to evaluate how consumers perceive and respond to Thai Union’s products and innovations. •    A user experience kitchen welcomes consumers and evaluates how they experience products and innovations. It will also host co-creation sessions with culinary chefs, customers and brands as well as serve as a dynamic environment for food prototyping. Several product innovation projects Thai Union conceived or finalized in the Innovation Hub are already entering key markets, such as John West’s ECOTWIST®, the biggest packaging innovation in the category in the United Kingdom, which packs the same amount of tuna into a redesigned and lighter can, saving over 400 tons of steel, 1,500 tons of ingredients that consumers typically don’t use, and avoiding around 65 tons of plastic shrink wrap or 300 tons of cardboard each year. Now open, the Innovation Hub team will soon begin welcoming consumers, academia, partners, and customers for potential collaborations. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds expected across Thailand Vietnam, US to begin first trade talks on May 7 ‘Buddhist relics should not be auctioned’, say faithful Kaspersky reports surge in on-device cyberthreats against SEA businesses Thai Schools Gear Up for Term Start with Safety Checks and Tablet Rollout Growy opened its first vertical farm in Amsterdam the company plans to build five new farms annually "That means we're swimming against the tide there's a lot of scepticism around vertical farming But our vertical farms are profitable—and we want to show other horticultural companies that it can be done." This is one of the reasons Growy joined Wageningen University & Research's Club of 100 and microgreens in a controlled environment The available technologies at the time were expensive and energy-intensive so we decided to develop our own—either in-house or in partnership with others we developed a transport crane system for our gutters." "Vertical farming is often viewed negatively 'It just doesn't add up financially.' But our packaged lettuce is sold in supermarkets for the same price as lettuce grown in greenhouses—and we're stocked by major retailers a high-tech greenhouse—and use less energy We currently operate one farm in Amsterdam and plan to scale up to 30 farms in the coming years You just need to apply the right technologies to the right use cases." How do you feel about the negativity around vertical farming So we have to prove that vertical farms can be economically viable I also feel that Dutch horticulture can be a bit arrogant toward the rest of the world—'We're the best at greenhouse growing' But developments outside the Netherlands are moving at a rapid pace I think we could afford to be a bit more humble." How does joining the Club of 100 fit into your vision I want to show other companies that vertical farming is possible Several of our 100+ employees are WUR graduates or did internships there—young minds who think outside the box And that's exactly who you need when you're working on new solutions." Source: Wageningen University and Research FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 VerticalFarmDaily.com Researchers Develop Transgene-free Edited Banana READ MORE Field Trials of Bt Cowpea Reveal Effective Resistance to Pest in Ghana READ MORE USDA-APHIS Designates Cibus' Disease Resistance Traits for Gene-Edited Canola as Not Regulated READ MORE Transgenic Cowpea Confers Insect Resistance and Herbicide Tolerance READ MORE Read Latest Issue (April 30, 2025) Read Latest Issue (February 22, 2023) Visit Science SpeaKs blog Visit GM APPROVAL DATABASE DONATE Scientists in Wageningen received a politically-charged questionnaire from the US Geological Survey The document clearly reflects the line adopted by the Trump administration The Association of Dutch Universities (UNL) calls on academics not to fill it in Does your organisation collaborate with groups affiliated with communist or with any other party that holds anti-American views Can you confirm that this research project is not about climate or environmental rights or does not contain such elements Does this research project take appropriate measures to protect and defend women against gender ideology These are just three of the 36 questions that two scientists from Wageningen University found in their mailboxes at the beginning of March, according to the Dutch newspaper NRC The two scientists are working with the US Geological Survey (USGS) on a project that uses satellites to monitor the condition of forests The USGS sent them the questionnaire on behalf of the American government which were advised not to fill in the questionnaire The National Association of Universities (UNL) is keeping an eye on the situation though it has not heard of any other scientists having received the same questionnaire UNL chair Caspar van den Berg says the questions are "typical of the deteriorating climate for the free practice of science in the US." Language useUS President Donald Trump wants to cut billions of dollars from research into climate Research applications are therefore being screened for "problematic language use" related to diversity Medical Director of the Dutch Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Centre has noticed that her American peers are afraid to speak freely "They can only do so on the weekend on their private phones They are afraid of losing their jobs or funding." Eurofins Agro Testing and trinamiX collaborate to optimize feed efficiency a renowned laboratory specializing in forage manure and compost analysis has announced an international collaboration with trinamiX to optimize forage analyses without the need to send samples to a laboratory The partnership brings together Eurofins Agro Testing’s expertise in state-of-the-art analysis their global network of laboratories and extensive knowledge of the agri-food industry with trinamiX’s technology to offer on-the-spot analytics in a fraction of the time it takes for a traditional sample to be analysed Managing Director Eurofins Agro Testing Wageningen emphasizes that its customers rely on best-in-class laboratory services to run their businesses profitably and sustainably Combining this analytical data with trinamiX’s technology is the best way for the industry to improve livestock health and productivity The collaboration is set to revolutionise the way feed suppliers and farmers capture feed data to enable more accurate nutrition management Bringing trinamiX’s technology and Eurofins Agro Testing’s analysis together in this partnership is set to provide high quality analysis with the flexibility to provide data and insight anywhere in the world Director Mobile Spectroscopy at trinamiX GmbH believes that through the collaboration with Eurofins Agro Testing Wageningen trinamiX can fully leverage the potential of its technology to make forage and feed analyses more convenient and efficient Full details of the technology being offered by the partnership will be revealed at EuroTier 2024 in Hannover About Eurofins – the global leader in bio-analysis The Eurofins network of companies believes that it is a global leader in food pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in discovery pharmacology advanced material sciences and agroscience contract research services It is also one of the market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics as well as in biopharma contract development and manufacturing It also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products 62,000 staff across a network of more than 900 laboratories in over 1,000 companies in 62 countries Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods Eurofins Agro Testing Wageningen is part of the Eurofins network of companies Eurofins Agro Testing provides the agri-food industry with analytical results growers and advisors to aid the management of farming systems and to accelerate the transition to more sustainable farming practices www.eurofins-agro.com E-mail: Inez.Sinia@ftbnl.eurofins.com Manager Communications                                                       Phone: +49 172 7470483                                           E-mail: nicole.messmer-pohan@trinamix.de Managing Director Eurofins Agro Testing are looking forward to the collaboration At least two thousand demonstrators took part in a long portest march through Wageningen as well as students and other stakeholders are taking action today against the cuts in higher education At least two thousand protesters took part in the action in Wageningen on the field in front of Wageningen University the sixth week of the relay strikes against a 1,1 billion cut in education - half a billion of which in higher education - kicked off receptionist at the university building Forum where several hundred activists are already standing because she notices that the cuts are already being anticipated “The support department is already being cut but it is already clear that I will have to go somewhere else I will miss the contact with colleagues and students but the worst thing I find is that this is at the expense of quality it means that not everything is possible anymore and people have to wait longer I think it is good that they are looking at how it can be done more efficiently Lecturer Michiel van der Molen and senior lecturer Ingrid Luijkx (both left) with colleagues from the Meteorology and Air Quality program but because we want to keep working,” Sjoukje Heimovaara chair of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research “You can’t put 85x innovation in your government program and then cut back on it the crowd chants as the protest march moves towards the city centre Lecturer Michiel van der Molen walks along with colleagues from Meteorology and Air Quality The Netherlands earns money with innovation and technology but due to the cutbacks there will soon be no more people to make this happen And this while the substantiation for these cutbacks is lacking Is the government thinking about what kind of society we want to be?” “Education is our future” his colleague and senior lecturer Ingrid Luijkx adds as she holds her protest sign with this text a little higher Senior lecturer Madelon Lohbeck: "Together we are stronger." Image: @mediaapostles  senior lecturer Madelon Lohbeck holds a sign on which her six-year-old son has written: 'Boe mienister Bruins' "I also stand here for the future of all children who still want to study," she says "I think it's great that we are showing that all universities form a movement together we are stronger and we can achieve more I hope that the board makes the right choices so that nothing disappears that cannot be restored." the procession - now grown to about 2000 demonstrators - arrives at the market but also laws against internationalization ultimately mean that politicians will determine what free science is and we must never let that happen," says mayor Floor Vermeulen Ignas Heitkönig stands in a colorful lab coat that he received at his farewell from his chair group Wildlife ecology and conservation “I am here because I am very angry about the government’s choice so limiting the influx of international students is an absurd measure which makes informal contacts less possible and extramural education is under pressure.” The connection is something that Hanna Elsinga chair of the student council and student of Business and Consumer Studies “Alternative teaching methods are essential because they create the link with practice it is important that everyone gets the chance to study and that we keep the connection alive it is precisely that exchange of information that makes it interesting.” “What happens in Wageningen is of vital importance,” Rosanna Funnekotter coordinator of labor participation at the university “WUR is a university where differences are celebrated where 170 different nationalities and cultures come together Making and keeping research and education accessible takes time and money.” "These excessive cuts are putting equal opportunities at risk," she continues "In a time when disinformation is on the rise and democratic values ​​are crumbling more diversity and inclusion and above all: more space for free thinking Every euro that is cut is a step backwards for the future." At her request "Let this be a powerful symbol: Don't do it AOb-director Donald Pechler thinks it is great to see how much solidarity there is “All universities are making their voices heard Together we form a broad coalition to convince politicians to reverse the cuts We will continue to campaign in the hope that the education budget will be adjusted in the Spring Memorandum.” There is still a strike in Maastricht (April 16), Eindhoven (April 23) and Delft (April 24) This page was translated automatically, if you see strange translations please let us know but a plan to improve the stock assessment of lobsters in the Netherlands divers and scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about unexplained structural decline of European Lobster (Homarus gammarus) in the Netherlands’ Eastern Scheldt lobster fishery Precise stock assessments are essential for understanding these declines and implementing sustainable management but scientific knowledge on lobster stocks in the Netherlands is lacking local fishers in the Association of Professional Fishers Oosterschelde Westschelde and Voordelta (OWV) developed a fishing plan to improve regional fisheries management They engaged with the government and stakeholders to develop science-based fishery management strategies Using the European Maritime and Fisheries Funds (EMFF) OWV teamed up with Wageningen University & Research to implement ‘LobStAR’ a plan to improving stock assessments through scientific innovations and improvements in research and technology chair of OWV explains: ''The lobster stock goes up and down due to natural factors But how the lobster stock develops over time is not clear while that information is important for sustainable management.”  The LobStAR project had several objectives experiments were conducted to monitor growth reproduction and mortality of the Eastern Scheldt lobster to better understand its lifecycle and development Researchers studied the lobsters’ basic energy use and the relation between activity level and water temperature and collaborated with fishers on field experiments where lobsters were tagged and released for long-term monitoring an automatic catch monitoring system which gathers important data on fishing effort and the catch Researcher Edwin van Helmond from Wageningen Marine Research explains that the aim is to make information collection easy for the fisher: “Once the computer programme works well it will no longer be necessary to collect this information manually it will no longer be necessary to have scientific observers along.” CatchCam takes a digital photo of each catch which automatically enters in a database the lobsters’ size sex and length of carapace (the ‘head shell’) The CatchCam automatically registers the precise location registering only the catch and not personnel onboard so fishers can go about their business while important data is collected laboratory and field data from the project is being used to develop a simple stock assessment model which in the future will be able to inform fishery management in the region But scientific data is nothing without the experiential knowledge of fishers The project conducted interviews and workshops with fishers and developed an annual questionnaire to appraise stock dynamics This enables a valuable comparison with quantitative results LobStAR's methods and findings are easily transferrable across regions and species Such scientist-fisher collaborations that combine scientific expertise with fishers’ knowledge and digital tools will help create a sustainable future for marine resources Website on the project: LobStAR (Stock assessment and management of Eastern Scheldt Lobster) Infographics on the project: 8454010522 - ASG_WMR_Infographic CatchCam Kreeft_HR_UK (wur.nl)  Tkatsjenko, who has taken the world title four times and the European twice, came to the Netherlands in 2022 after the Russian invasion of her home country. Her contacts at the Wageningen draughts society WSDV helped her find a place in the domestic competition – and she is now competing under the Dutch flag, having lived here for longer than a year. “On the one hand these matches are a distraction, but my real wish is for an end to all the disasters in the world and to be able to live a normal life,” she told NOS. The matches will take place in Wageningen town hall’s ceremonial room. Tkachenko and Motrichko will play 12 matches between December 19 and 30, with a tie break on December 31 if necessary. In the men’s competition, Wageningen’s own Jan Groenendijk is taking on Ukraine’s Yuriy Anikeev, who is the defending world champion. We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day. Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days! We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here. Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey. Photo: Koos GroenewoldAntimicrobial resistance has become one of the most pressing health issues of our time partly originating from livestock production could kill more than 39 million people between now and 2050 there are positive signs that resistance can be reversed by lower antibiotic usage WORLD OF MICROBES SPECIAL 2024 – read all articles Diseased livestock needs to be treated for their wellbeing and food security pathogens can evolve to outsmart the drugs designed to kill them excessive use of antimicrobials accelerates the process The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) identifies two main culprits causing bugs to become resistant which are: the natural tendency of microbes to adapt and survive Animals are more susceptible to diseases when they live in stressful environments or when the hygiene conditions are poor Following good animal management practices focusing on disease prevention and using antimicrobials responsibly is thus essential reducing the number of antibiotic treatments in a herd of a flock won’t automatically reduce resistant microbes which were created before This can be seen in the intense AMR monitoring plan It monitored the abolishment of in-feed antibiotics and the strong reduction of curative antibiotics since then a total of 112 tonnes of Antimicrobial Veterinary Medicinal Products (AVMPs) were sold which is a decrease of 22.9% compared to 2021 A decrease in sales by 77.5 % over the years 2009-2022 is attained with 2009 considered a reference year by the Dutch Government The use of antibiotics of critical importance to human health care (especially cephalosporins of 3rd and 4th generation) is low even in sectors which are not monitored for use Use and sales of polymyxins decreased in 2022 for which the overall decrease since 2011 is 82.6% in sales 52% is applied in sectors currently not yet monitored; an overall decrease of 93.1% since 2011 is observed Researchers from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research screened the faeces for specific bacteria and resistance mechanisms To get the clearest possible overview of the trend “A trend was clearly visible from the start,” according to Kees Veldman head of the laboratory for antibiotic resistance in animals As soon as livestock farming used less antibiotics there was a decrease in antibiotic resistance 66% of chicken meat contained bacteria that were resistant to all penicillin The laboratory also looks specifically at the bacterial species E coli bacteria in chickens were insensitive to ampicillin antibiotic use has been reduced to almost zero The downward trend in antibiotic resistance in animals has now plateaued for most antibiotics antibiotics stay available and effective for essential disease treatment in both animals and humans This technique requires a different type of wire marking than TenneT already uses. Namely the so-called Firefly, which can be attached with a clamp to the lightning conductors in the high-voltage line. Drones cannot yet apply other types of wire marking such as pig curls or bird flaps. Based on several studies abroad, the effectiveness of Fireflies is at least as effective as that of pig curls and bird flaps and leads to about 90% fewer wire casualties. TenneT ecologist Jac Hakkens: "Commissioned by TenneT, Sovon Vogelonderzoek Nederland (SOVON) investigated where in the Netherlands the risk of wire casualties is highest. This connection near Wageningen was on our list as a priority. We are now evaluating this new method with the drones. If the results prove positive, we can start using this type of wire marking on other compounds as well." the studies will be the first to assess the safety and immunogenicity of WBVR's RVF vaccine in countries where RVF is endemic.WBVR's live-attenuated vaccine known as hRVFV-4s and being further developed under Wageningen spin-off Bunyavax is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial in Belgium under a previous CEPI/ EU grant In addition to the anticipated trials in Kenya and Uganda CEPI will fund an extension of the ongoing Phase I study to assess immunogenicity up to 24 months; manufacturing of clinical trial materials; epidemiological research to assess the burden of infection and the risk of ‘spillover' transmission from animals to humans in Kenya and Uganda; and regulatory engagement including a strategy for achieving licensure of the vaccine The work will be a combined effort of WBVR with consortium partners Batavia Biosciences BV University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover said:"Climate change and extreme weather are expanding the range of potential Rift Valley fever outbreaks and increasing its potential to cause devastation to the lives and livelihoods of people in rural communities in Africa and beyond We urgently need a vaccine to strengthen our defenses against this emerging disease and protect the vulnerable populations who are exposed to it Through CEPI's expanded partnership with Wageningen Bioveterinary Research we will generate crucial data needed to accelerate the development of this much-needed vaccine helping to bring a protective solution closer to the growing number of people who may be affected by this potentially deadly disease."Marc Lemaître Director-General for Research and Innovation said:"With the memories of the recent pandemic still fresh in our minds we know how important it is to invest in research to prevent and control the threat from infectious diseases An effective vaccine against Rift Valley Fever would go a long way to prevent more frequent and deadly outbreaks with all the serious public health and socioeconomic consequences that we see today I am pleased to see that these essential research projects can now take off with the steadfast support of the European Union and Horizon Europe The EU and its Member States have been among the largest contributors to CEPI since its inception From the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation we have provided more than EUR 240 million since 2017 and we are proud of the great scientific progress the strong partnership with CEPI has produced on Ebola I am confident that the projects starting today will bring us even closer to an effective vaccine against Rift Valley Fever."Dr developer of the hRVFV-4s vaccine and leader of the consortium said:"With promising results from the Phase I clinical trial in Belgium and the continuation of the collaboration with CEPI we are taking a huge step in reducing the burden of disease in Africa where the virus continues to affect both animals and humans a RVF vaccine will contribute to preparedness for potential virus emergence in yet unaffected regions like Europe in which susceptible mosquito species are currently expanding territory." Heavy rains provide ideal conditions for RVF-infected mosquitoes to breed and hatch expanding the range of mosquitoes and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as flooding there is a risk that RVF outbreaks will become more frequent and widespread making the development of a protective human vaccine all the more urgent.  which is supported by EUR35 million provided by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme.--ENDS-- part of Wageningen University and Research) is an internationally renowned independent knowledge institute in the veterinary and public health domain WBVR aims to contribute towards a society where animals and humans live a healthy life by preventing the spread of animal and zoonotic diseases and promoting health This is achieved by top level scientific research with a focus on One Health WBVR contributes to these topics by collaborating with governments NGOs and other funding agencies.WBVR is the national reference centre for notifiable livestock diseases in the Netherlands and advices the Dutch government on all aspects of veterinary disease control policies CEPIE: [email protected]T: +44 7387 055214WBVRE : [email protected]T : +31 320 238556 (connects to mobile)