News and insights

Snacking is not as unhealthy as you might think

Snacking, it turns out, is not all about crisps, biscuits and chocolate. Dutch millennials often consume nutritious foods, such as fruit, bread and yoghurt, between their main meals.

Millions in funding to put proteins from agricultural side streams back on our plates

A large consortium with Wageningen scientists are exploring how protein-rich side streams from the food industry can be turned into new foods.

Effects of power cables on sharks and rays studied

Power cables do not appear to form a barrier to sharks and rays, but electromagnetic fields do affect behaviour and growth.

Spending on sustainable food rises, share unchanged

Dutch consumers spent almost €15.6 billion on food with a sustainability label in 2025. This was 6% more than a year earlier.

National campaign about bequeathing to science and young talent

University Fund Wageningen and other university funds in the Netherlands are launching a joint national campaign this week on the theme of bequeathing to science and young talent.

Sustainable growing media: look beyond carbon footprints

A new harmonised dataset helps companies, researchers and policymakers compare raw materials and growing media mixes more effectively..

Snacking is not as unhealthy as you might think

Snacking, it turns out, is not all about crisps, biscuits and chocolate. Dutch millennials often consume nutritious foods, such as fruit, bread and yoghurt, between their main meals.

Millions in funding to put proteins from agricultural side streams back on our plates

A large consortium with Wageningen scientists are exploring how protein-rich side streams from the food industry can be turned into new foods.

Barry Rockx appointed to special chair in emerging viral diseases in animals

Barry Rockx investigates how emerging viruses cause disease and spread among livestock and wildlife, and how the risks of new outbreaks can be identified earlier.

Werner Koopman appointed special professor of Molecular Mitochondrial Bioenergetics

The executive board of WUR has appointed Prof. Dr. Werner Koopman as special professor of Molecular Mitochondrial Bioenergetics. The chair starts in September 2026 and is funded by Radboudumc.

Effects of power cables on sharks and rays studied

Power cables do not appear to form a barrier to sharks and rays, but electromagnetic fields do affect behaviour and growth.

UNCCD COP17 press release

Wageningen University’s Annah Lake Zhu Addressed Pastoral Futures at UNCCD COP17. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /26 August 2026 — Annah Lake Zhu, Associate Professor of Environmental Policy at Wageningen University & Research, took the stage as a featured panelist at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The session, titled Sustainable Rangeland Governance and Pastoral Futures, was held during Land Day in Tsagaadai Hall within the COP17 Green Zone. Co-organized by Wageningen University & Research alongside Conservation International, Public Foundation CAMP Alatoo, and WWF China, the 90-minute panel focused on practical pathways to strengthen resilient rangeland systems amid worsening land degradation, climate risks, and shifting rural livelihoods. As the opening speaker, Dr. Zhu discussed her research on Africa’s Great Green Wall in Senegal under the Cultural Heritage in Motion (www.cuhemo.org) project. She highlighted how inclusive policy design, pastoralist knowledge, and landscape restoration must work together to sustain livelihoods. Dr. Zhu contributed alongside an international lineup of experts: • Corle Swart, Conservation International (Herding for Health) • Maksat Miinazarov, Public Foundation CAMP Alatoo • Wang Jing, WWF Northeast China • Qian Wang (Moderator), WWF China The session concluded with shared priority messages and actionable next steps for advancing community-centered rangeland stewardship across Africa and Asia.

Lizzy Award gives four starting WUR entrepreneurs a chance to grow

Four WUR entrepreneurs win the Lizzy Award and €5,000 each to develop their innovative ideas through market research or prototypes.

Erik Poelman appointed Chair of Farming Systems Ecology at WUR

Erik will use ecological knowledge to help redesign farming systems and strengthen the connection between ecological research, farming practice and the wider food system.

Multiple West Nile virus infections in horses in the Netherlands

Since early August, recent West Nile virus (WNV) infections have been confirmed in several horses in the Netherlands. The cases involve horses in the province of South Holland and the Nijmegen area. The infections were detected through syndromic surveillance.

Strong oyster reefs start with genetic diversity

PhD research shows why the origin, genetic diversity and relatedness of oysters should be considered when restoring European flat oyster reefs.

Groenmonitor reveals drought damage to Dutch grasslands

Dutch grasslands have been hit hard by drought this summer. Large areas of grass have withered, particularly in Zeeland, western Brabant, Limburg, Texel and the Achterhoek.

New BioNanoTechnology minor lets students explore world at nanoscale

WUR’s new BioNanoTechnology minor explores how nanotechnology can address challenges in health, agriculture, food and sustainability.

Greater vegetable diversity needed for healthier diets and climate-resilient agriculture

An international team of scientists is calling for global action to conserve and better use vegetable biodiversity. Researchers from WUR are among those leading this effort.

Skates leave the seabed at night

Research on three skate species in the North Sea and English Channel provides new insights into their nocturnal behaviour, growth and reproduction.

DNA research highlights the genetic vulnerability of Asian elephants

DNA research on 81 Asian elephants reveals major differences in inbreeding and genetic diversity and offers insights for conservation.

Early warning testing for ASF and CSF in the Netherlands: serum and blood swabs can now be submitted

Veterinarians can submit samples for low-threshold early warning (EW) testing (exclusion testing) for African swine fever (ASF) and Classical swine fever (CSF) at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research.

West Nile virus confirmed in a horse in the Netherlands

West Nile virus (WNV) has been confirmed in a horse in the Netherlands. The investigation into WNV in a horse located in the province of Zuid-Holland was initiated following a report of clinical signs consistent with West Nile fever submitted to Royal GD.

Higher river discharge helps young salmon

Research by Wageningen Marine Research shows that low river discharge reduces the chances of young Atlantic salmon reaching the North Sea. The findings provide leads for improving the management of the Haringvliet sluices.

Coastal flooding turns out to be surprisingly predictable

Flooding is often seen as an unpredictable event. New research by Wageningen University & Research, published in Nature Communications, however shows that in many coastal areas flooding occurs at remarkably consistent times of day.

NWO funding awarded to WUR project on biodiversity and sustainable agriculture in the Brazilian Cerrado

NWO funding awarded to WUR project on biodiversity and sustainable agriculture in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Scientists discover new route to strong, biodegradable bioplastics

Wageningen researchers, together with colleagues in Amsterdam and China, have developed a new plant-based plastic that biodegrades naturally.

Fields with trees are cooler and possibly more profitable

How could farmers make smart use of this agroforestry to benefit their cows and improve the bottom line? ‘Drones to detect heat stress in livestock.’

Gardeners see which crop combinations work best

Which crops grow better when next to each other and why? In the MoestuinMix project, amateur gardeners collect data on growth, yields and insects on their crops.

Living on Mars without leaving Earth

Brazilian astrobiologist Rebeca Gonçalves spent two weeks at the remote station, studying how vegetables could be grown on Mars.

How do we share landscapes with wildlife?

As wolves, beavers and large grazers return to the Netherlands, WUR experts explore how people and wildlife can learn to coexist.

How to make the animal feed of the future

Together with partners, Wageningen University & Research is investigating the feed of the future.

Why regenerative agriculture needs data

Regenerative approaches are gaining ground as agriculture becomes more focused on sustainability. They focus on restoring soils and nature while ensuring a viable business model for farmers.

Bird flu in cows: should we be worried?

In the US, humans became infected during an outbreak of bird flu among cattle. Could that happen in Europe too?

Corporate accountability: what is the human and environmental cost of doing business?

How can companies be held accountable for their impact on people, climate and biodiversity? Research explores law, governance and responsibility.

Why food transitions get stuck – and how we can get them moving again

WUR researchers Bart de Steenhuijsen Piters and Anne-Charlotte Hoes explain where the resistance against transitions come from and how you can steer change.

‘The key thing in an emergency? Neighbours’

If you really want to survive a disaster, it is smarter to invest in social relationships. ‘Disasters are essentially social in nature.’

Between melting ice and mass tourism

Antarctica is remote but not pristine. While ecologists living in extreme conditions study krill, birds and marine mammals, it is rapidly becoming a tourist destination.

Governing means looking ahead. Time to act

Climate change demands long-term thinking. Wieke Pot argues for a Parliamentary Committee for the Future and a stronger role for citizens.

Cultured meat is the future, but needs promoting

The question is no longer whether it is possible, but whether it is affordable and gets accepted.

'Nutrition should help people get the best out of themselves'

As he retires from WUR, Professor Renger Witkamp reflects on 20 years of research and his lifelong quest to understand what keeps people healthy.

The home dialysis machines of kidney patients will contain Dutch jack beans

Wageningen University & Research is working to improve the cultivation of the jackbean, the enzymes from which are crucial for filters in dialysis machines.

Why is clothing recycling still so difficult (and how can it be improved)?

Why is so little textile recycled into new clothing? Explore the technical, economic and sustainability challenges facing clothing recycling.

Broad research into Ebola vaccine gains new urgency

A new Ebola outbreak highlights the need for broader vaccines. Wageningen University @ Research are developing protection against Ebola and Marburg viruses.

Plant breeder René Smulders: “Real progress only comes from working better together”

From developing wheat with lower levels of gluten to research into the effects of climate change on crops: René Smulders’ field of work has always been broad. He will retire in June 2026.

Shared research facilities: 'Shared equipment, shared expertise'

Startup Revyve rents an advanced confocal microscope from WUR via Shared Research Facilities (SRF), part of WUR. For this fast-growing food tech company, it’s a smart way to conduct in-depth research without the costs of owning their own equipment.

How biotechnology is bringing new futures, fast

WUR’s Richard Harrison explains how growing knowledge is democratising science and accelerating biotechnology for diverse future farming systems.

Smart Water Use in Egypt: 50 Years of Impact

Beyond water scarcity: How 50 years of science-policy collaboration support efficient water use in Egypt’s agriculture

Not all biobased plastics are biodegradable, nor do they need to be

Maarten van der Zee and his team are developing a new test to measure the degradability of plastics, with a view to a more sustainable and less polluted future.

A century of entomology in Wageningen: from pest control to malaria prevention

What began as a small laboratory for insect research has grown over the past 100 years into an internationally leading research group. The Entomology chair group at Wageningen University & Research plays a key role in areas such as biological pest control and malaria prevention.

Rising food prices due to the war in Iran: causes and consequences

Food may become more expensive as a result of the war in Iran. This could affect consumers in the Netherlands, but also in countries in Africa and Asia, where it may have consequences for food security. The reason lies in the fertiliser market.

Cellular agriculture

Cultivated meat and fish, and animal-free dairy products are rapidly becoming viable alternatives to animal-based products and could significantly reshape our future protein supply.

Drought

Wageningen University & Research studies the impact drought has on agriculture, nature and living circumstances.

Wildfires

Wageningen University & Research conducts research into the effects of forest fires, heathland fires and roadside fires on nature. For example, the causes of erosion and flooding after a wildfire are being investigated. Researchers in Wageningen also provide advice to authorities, enabling them to focus on the rapid restoration of ground-covering vegetation after a wildfire. This helps the soil remain as intact as possible and recover quickly.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential building block for life, but high nitrogen deposition on natural areas causes biodiversity loss.

Wolves

After an absence of approximately 150 years, the wolf has re-established itself in the Netherlands. This dossier provides you with the latest news, background information and results of Wageningen University & Research on wolves in the Netherlands.

Bird flu

On this page, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WVBR) informs you about the latest bird flu (avian influenza) developments in the Netherlands. This research institute performs diagnostics for bird flu and advises the Dutch government on preventive measures.

Methane

Dutch livestock farmers have already made considerable strides towards a sustainable livestock sector. A critical task, as one of the climate agreement goals, is to further reduce the emission of methane (CH4).