News Wageningen University & Research

Agri-food Monitor 2026: Consumers cautiously embrace AI in the Dutch food chain

Consumers are cautiously positive about AI-use in the agri-food sector. At the same time, they do not trust the use of AI unreservedly, and food produced with the help of AI is sometimes perceived as less ‘natural’.

A new pathway toward a more sustainable groundwater future

Groundwater is essential for agriculture, ecosystems and drinking water. In many agricultural areas, more water is being pumped than is being replenished, putting pressure on water supplies and ecosystems.

CIBIA, a new Wageningen facility, helps bring food innovations into practice

Wageningen University & Research has opened CIBIA, a new facility where food innovations can be developed, tested and scaled up more quickly. It brings technology, product development and consumer evaluation together.

New European research project on PFAS alternatives for the pharmaceutical and medical sectors kicks off

The PFAROS consortium aims to support the transition towards a PFAS-free pharmaceutical and medical sector. WUR brings expertise in materials development, toxicology and water treatment.

Camera system sheds new light on bird collisions at sea

Thermal cameras and AI can detect potential bird collisions at offshore wind turbines, providing rare data on bird movements at sea.

WUR ranked number one as most sustainable university for the tenth time

WUR tops the UI GreenMetric ranking for the tenth year in a row and achieves the highest scores for waste, water and transportation.

Major study into the welfare of fish in aquariums

In the four-year ZOOVIS project, Rotterdam Zoo, Burgers’ Zoo and WUR are investigating how fish experience their environment. They are developing knowledge and tools to better assess and improve fish welfare.

Biodiversity in production forests: both costs and benefits shape the financial picture

Biodiversity measures reduce the estimated profitability of production forests by an average of 5%. However, the economic benefits of biodiversity are often not taken into account.

Blueberries and blackberries reduce inflammatory response in artificial gut

Palm oil may increase the uptake of bacterial molecules through the gut wall, a process that scientists have linked to inflammatory responses in the body. Blueberries and blackberries, by contrast, appear to temper this process.