Biotechnology (Extract from the Presidency background note on the Competitiveness Council of 26 Nov)

Copenhagen, 21 Nov 2002

The Council will hold an exchange of views, on the basis of the Commission's communication "Life sciences and biotechnology - a strategy for Europe", and will be called on to adopt conclusions aimed at establishing an "operational roadmap" for the strategy.

The draft conclusions state that the potential offered by life sciences and biotechnology in areas such as healthcare, agriculture and food, industrial products and processes and environmental protection should be continuously assessed as regards benefits and risks, whilst anticipating economic, social and environmental consequences and ethical aspects. They note that the development of a competitive biotechnology industry in the EU requires a comprehensive and co-ordinated policy approach covering all major areas of biotechnology application.

It is recalled that in the conclusions on life sciences and biotechnology adopted at its session on 6 and 7 June, the Council requested the Commission to co-operate closely with it in establishing an operational roadmap of practical measures based on the Commission's communication. This would include clarifying the responsibilities of the various actors and setting a timetable for their implementation in order to enable an in-depth discussion by the Council.

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