News Release
No 59/04
April 23, 2004
A NEW IMPETUS FOR EUROPEAN BIOTECHNOLOGY: BRINGING COHERENCE
TO EU BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICIES
Today the European Commission (EC) presented a report on the implementation
of the "Life
Sciences & Biotechnology Strategy" adopted in 2002. The report highlights
that progress has been made, in regards to biotechnology sector players as well
as the public and business stakeholders, on the EU action plan's recommendations.
Highlights over the last 12 months include the launch of a high level advisory
group on "Competitiveness in Biotechnology," the completion of an EU
regulatory framework for Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) and initiatives to boost research and increase the number
of scientists in the biotech sector. The progress report identifies upcoming issues,
including genetic testing and animal biotechnology. Biotechnology covers a wide
range of powerful, but also sometimes controversial, technologies. It can make
a vital contribution towards the long-term future of industries such as pharmaceuticals,
food, agriculture, energy, textiles and chemicals. But success in developing biotechnology
also depends on finding solutions to the significant ethical, societal, economic
and environmental issues it throws up. The EU strategy provides a consistent approach
to these challenges.
Biotech players on board
In adopting the Strategy, European leaders recognised that many decision-makers
in both government and the private sector have to play a more active role in its
implementation. This is now starting to happen in the Member States. The process
should be supported by the new "Competitiveness in Biotechnology" advisory
group. The group, which includes business leaders and academics, is helping to
identify issues affecting European competitiveness.
Progress on GMO legislation, slowdown on intellectual property rights
According to the Commission's report, last year saw both successes and disappointments.
Successes ranged from the completion, at both the EU and national level, of the
EU's reformed regulatory framework for GMOs, to initiatives to reverse the biotechnology
brain-drain by boosting R&D funding and making Europe more attractive to scientists.
Disappointments included Member States' lack of agreement on a Community Patent
and the ongoing failure of many Member States to implement agreed legislation
to clarify intellectual property rights concerning biotechnology inventions.
The financial situation faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved
in biotechnology is less critical than previously feared, but still needs to be
carefully watched for signs of improvement.
The report provides a comprehensive and detailed discussion of the state of the
sector. It places particular weight on the need for Member States to implement
and apply GMO legislation for which they themselves have called.
EU-funded research in life sciences and biotechnology
The Report notes the continuing support for
Life Sciences and Biotechnology research. Under the EU
6th Framework Programme for Research, financial support to research in this
area has been boosted by some 20% compared with the previous Framework Programme.
In the first year of the programme, more than €810 million was allocated to research
in the areas of "life
sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health" and "food quality and
safety." More than 2700 laboratories and companies, including about 400
SMEs, are involved. As human resources and mobility of researchers are key elements
in the acquisition and transfer of knowledge, the Commission has also increased
the budget for the area of "human
resources and mobility" to €1.5 billion.
2004 and beyond
The Report also sets out actions for 2004 and beyond and considers newly emerging,
but potentially controversial, issues such as genetic testing and animal biotechnology.
One important continuing challenge is ensuring that the Strategy is implemented
in a coherent way across the Union. To support this, the Commission proposes a
more concerted effort between the Commission, Member States and the private sector,
focusing on areas where responsibilities are less centralized. The development
of biotechnology policy must retain a prominent place on the EU's political, economic
and social agenda. The Commission therefore expects both the Council and the European
Parliament to send a clear signal that biotechnology remains a high priority.
For further information please visit:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/biotechnology/introduction_en.html
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Press Contacts:
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Anthony Gooch
202-862-9523
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Maeve O'Beirne
202-862-9549
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