A strong scientific, technological and innovation base in biotechnology will support European industries securing leadership in this key enabling technology. This position will be further strengthened by integrating the safety assessment and management aspects of the overall risks in the deployment of biotechnology.

Examples of the rising importance of biotechnology are in industrial applications including biopharmaceuticals, food and feed production and bio-chemicals, of which the market share of the latter is estimated to increase by up to 12% – 20% of chemical production by 2015. In Europe’s biopharmaceutical sector, already some 20% of the current medicines are derived from biotechnology, and up to 50% of new medicines.