The European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) approved, by 53 votes to 11 with 6 abstentions, a report highlighting the strategic importance of the biotechnology and bioproduction sectors for Europe’s future competitiveness and sustainability, on Wednesday 25 June.
As expressed in March (see EUROPE 13594/7), MEPs are calling for simplified regulation and increased investment to foster innovation and growth in the European biotechnology sector, as well as its contribution to Europe’s competitiveness and sustainability.
“We call for a broad and ambitious approach – with coherent, lean, and internationally compatible regulation, shorter authorisation procedures, and a strong commitment to innovation and competitiveness”, stressed rapporteur Hildegard Bentele (EPP, German) in a press release. “Europe must not just follow in biotech – we must lead”.
MEPs call on the European Commission to take account of the regulatory frameworks of leading biotechnology and biomanufacturing countries in current and future European legislation governing this sector. In this way, they hope to guarantee compatibility, where possible and without compromising consumer safety, as well as a level playing field for European biotech companies competing internationally, and to draw inspiration from best practice outside the EU without lowering existing European standards.
They also recommend the development of a strategy to support biotech and biomanufacturing companies in their transition from a ‘regulatory sandbox’ to full market access. They are calling for this strategy to include, but not be limited to, support mechanisms, regulatory assistance and guidance on compliance with European legislation.
Finally, MEPs would like to see collaboration with citizens and civil society organisations to communicate the characteristics, advantages and implications of the growing presence of biotechnology products and services on the European market. They also believe that a coherent, solid and durable intellectual property framework is essential.
The text will be put to the vote at the July plenary session in Strasbourg.
To read the compromise amendments, go to https://aeur.eu/f/hk9 (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)