In a position paper sent to the national parliament on Thursday 20 November, the Netherlands argues in favour of an ambitious ‘EU Biotech Act’ covering all biotechnology sectors: medical, agri-food, industrial and environmental (see EUROPE 13673/13).
The European Commission is due to present this legislative package in two parts. The first, expected in December, will focus on healthcare, particularly clinical trials (see EUROPE 13710/5). ‘Biotech Act II’ will focus more on economic affairs.
The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs drafted this position in consultation with the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Infrastructure and Education.
The Netherlands is calling for appropriate instruments in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to “close funding gaps for scaling and commercialisation of innovations”, as start-ups in industrial biotechnology or farmed meat often lack access to late-stage finance and “must rely on foreign investors to grow”, according to the document.
Consequently, the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and the new Horizon Europe programme should offer targeted instruments - such as grants, direct and indirect equity, venture debt, guarantees and blended finance - as well as appropriate framework conditions, particularly by focusing on the most strategic technologies and sectors, including biotechnology, based on excellence and impact, according to the Netherlands.
The Dutch government also wants to simplify existing frameworks, in particular by clarifying definitions and strengthening risk-based approaches in GMO legislation. The Netherlands is suggesting that a single European contact point be created to provide more effective support for start-ups and SMEs.
The country also wants to stimulate demand for bio-based products (biomass) and revise certain State aid rules to better reflect the business model of biotech companies.
Finally, the Netherlands considers it essential to secure sensitive uses of biotechnology and to adapt the rules to certain key sectors, particularly biocontrol substances, clinical trials and animal-free methods. In their view, a modern Biotech Act is essential to guarantee European competitiveness and pave the way for a sustainable bioeconomy.
Link to the document: https://aeur.eu/f/jkn (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)