Brussels, 09/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the Belgian Presidency presented to the press its priorities for agriculture and fisheries, including "reopening" of the debate on the integration of new technologies in agriculture. Agriculture Minister Jaak Gabriëls, who is replaced until the end of the year by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Annemie Neyts, included this theme on the agenda of the informal Agriculture Council meeting (from 17 to 18 September). For the first time, the Fifteen will have an opportunity to exchange their ideas with those of five scientists from the five different continents. Jaak Gabriëls did not hide the fact that he is broadly in favour of the new technologies. "Agriculture cannot restrict itself to the use of traditional methods (…) Even if Europe is overtaken by the United States, it is in Europe and not the United States that such innovative techniques have their origin", he said, recalling "plant gene engineering" was invented in Gent. EUROPE will come back to the other priorities of the Presidency.