British minister Angela Eagle visits the Baix Llobregat Campus to learn about the UPC’s potential in agri-food technologies
The British Minister at the algae production laboratory, together with EEABB deputy director Zein Kallas
UK Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Angela Eagle visited several facilities on the UPC’s Baix Llobregat Campus in Castelldefels on 22 April. The aim of the visit was to gain first-hand insight into the University’s potential in agri-food technologies, under the umbrella of the Agri-Food Technology Specific Research Centre, and to explore new opportunities for international cooperation.
Apr 28, 2026
The British delegation, which included representatives from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the UK Consulate in Barcelona, was received by Jordi Berenguer, Vice-Rector for Transfer, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC); Xavier Fàbregas, director of the Barcelona School of Agri-Food and Biosystems Engineering (EEABB); Jose Yúfera, the Rector’s Delegate for the Baix Llobregat Campus; Isabel Achaerandio, director of the Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology; and Josep Paradells, deputy director of the Agri-Food Technology Specific Research Centre (AGROTECH-UPC). Guillermo Massana, Delegate Councillor for Universities of the Castelldefels City Council, was also in attendance.
The programme began at the EEABB, where the main lines of research and innovation in agrotechnology were presented. The delegation then toured a number of facilities, including the algae production, food processing and biotechnology laboratories; the germplasm bank; the agricultural robotics laboratory; the infrastructure that makes up the 6GLabNet; and the DroneLab. These visits showcased advanced applications of digital and robotic technologies for the agri-food sector.
The agenda also included a meeting with the British company Earth Rover, based in the RDIT building, which develops innovative robotic solutions for agriculture.
This meeting highlighted the potential for collaboration between academic institutions and international technology companies, as well as the role of the Agròpolis as a leading infrastructure for testing technological solutions applied to agriculture.
The UPC’s strength in the agrotech field was underlined, and priority areas for collaboration between the two sides were identified. Four strategic areas were defined: sustainable crop production, precision agriculture and the digitalisation of the sector, the development of shared data spaces—such as the UPC Data Space (UPCxels)—and the valorisation of agricultural by-products within a circular economy model.
The visit strengthens ties between the United Kingdom and the UPC and consolidates the University’s position as an international leader in the development of innovative agri-food technologies.