Europe Must Also Support Innovations In Agriculture

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 06 Jun 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The industry association of the German biotechnology, BIO Deutschland, demands against the background of tomorrow's meeting of EU Environment Ministers in Luxembourg, that the innovative potential of small and medium-sized seed producers be no longer hindered and that research in the area of plant biotechnology be clearly recognised.

"European governments cannot denounce the domination of worldwide markets by food and animal feed concerns on the one hand and restrict the innovative strength of small and medium-sized seed producers on the other," said Jens Katzek, member of BIO Deutschland's directors board.

During the EU Environment Ministers' Council Meeting, topics to be discussed include the effects of genetically modified organisms (GMO) on the environment, the definition of labelling thresholds for seed, and the modalities by EU member states to control plantations of authorised GMOs.

Against this background, Jens Katzek warned, "A restrictive European policy on innovation indirectly strengthens multinational companies, which are easily able to relocate research and development on new products to a more technology-friendly environment." He added that only freedom of competition between new ideas from research and innovative companies makes it possible to offer a wide product range that is attractive to consumers at home and abroad. In conclusion, Jens Katzek stated: "It should be a matter of permitting a mutually beneficial economic environment of large and small companies, as already exists among pharmaceutical firms and biotechnology companies, for instance, which often cooperate in the area of the development of new types of medication."

BIO Deutschland

The Berlin-based Biotechnology Industry Organisation of Germany (BIO Deutschland), which has more than 200 members, including companies, BioRegions and sector service providers, has set itself the target of supporting and promoting the development of an innovative economic sector based on modern biosciences. Dr Peter Heinrich (CEO of MediGene AG) is Chairman of the Board of BIO Deutschland.

BIO Deutschland

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