EU ponders biotech 'vision'

Europe’s leading research, food and biotech industries have presented EU leaders with a ‘vision’ for the future of plant biotechnology. 

A diverse group of industries claims that an initiative to develop ‘plants for the future’ will go a long way in combating the problem of the world’s diminishing natural resources.

Their initiative, “Plants for the future”: A European vision for plant biotechnology towards 2020, was unveiled on Wednesday by EU Research Chief, Philipe Busquin.

The ‘vision paper’ outlines how plant biotechnology can address future socio-economic challenges, including food supply and bio-fuel production.

The paper also sets out a number of major goals over the next 20 years, outlining a series of short and long term priorities.

Aware of the strong public concern surrounding the impact of biotechnologies, the industries have also called for the creation of a ‘European plant genomics and biotechnology platform’ to develop a research agenda, boost R&D investment, strengthen industry support and foster public awareness.

Presenting what he hopes will be a new era for plant biotechnology in Europe, Busquin introduced the industries’ vision paper, saying, “European researchers and small companies have pioneered the development of modern plant biotechnology”.

But he warned, "Despite Europe having been at the forefront of plant science and biotechnology, [Europe’s] leading position has drastically deteriorated in recent years, due to public concerns over the impact of these technologies, insufficient communication of the benefits, and lack of a strategic research programme.”

Biotechnology companies welcomed the initiative, with Feike Sijbesma, of EuropaBio, the European association for bio industries saying, “The use of biotechnology to produce biomass, bio-energy, bio-plastics and bio-textiles from plant products has the potential to revolutionize agriculture.”

“It is not only foods and feeds that farmers will produce; plants will be the source of our fuels, compostible plastics, environmentally friendly cleaning agents and even our medicines,” added Sijbesma

Praising the initiative, Marc Zabeau of EPSO, the European Plant Science Organisation said, "Our society faces tremendous challenges in the coming decades.  The issue of economical sustainability will necessitate the development of novel biomaterials, bio energy and renewable resources.

The New Technology Platform is expected to deliver a strategic research agenda by the end of the year.

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