b'EUROPE IS LAGGING BEHIND, AGAIN!WHY BIOTECHNOLOGY IS THE PERFECT FIT FOR THE EUS GREEN DEAL.BY: MARCEL BRUINSS ince 1996, EuropaBio has been representing the interests of the biotechnology industry at the European level, with 81 corporate and associate members and bio regions, and 15 national biotechnology associations, which represent over 1,800 biotech SMEs at a Member State level. That is no small business. The organization is active in the three main segments of biotech-nology: Healthcare (Red Biotech), Industrial (White Biotech) and Agri-Food (Green Biotech). But as we all know, biotechnol-ogy, especially in the agri-food sector, has not benefited from a favourable regulatory environment lately. That is why European Seed sat down with Joanna Dupont-Inglis, Secretary General of EuropaBio, to get her take on the European Green Deal. MAIN PRIORITIESWhen speaking about her organizations main priorities, Dupont-Inglis underlines that they are calling upon EU decision makers to reset the ambition for a healthier, more resource-efficient and technologically-driven Europe, which puts biotechnology and life sciences at the heart of progress. It is outlined in our 2019 manifesto. Biotechnology is already a transformative EU asset. It significantly addresses unmet medical needs, enables smarter,Joanna Dupont-Inglis.more efficient use of natural resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves the quantity and quality of food andLOOKING BACK AT 2019feed. She emphasizes that huge potential remains untapped for2019 was a challenging but also exciting year for our sector. delivering new and innovative solutions to the United NationsWith new incoming EU institutions and the recent European elec-Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, as well as the EUstions, we are ready to share the good news that biotechnology new Green Deal. can contribute profoundly to European objectives for the benefit According to the Dupont-Inglis, the EU biotech commu- of European citizens and our environment, says Dupont-Inglis.nity is already fully engaged in work to face these global and European challenges. But with the right political support andTHE DISCONNECT ON SUSTAINABILITYregulatory framework, we could play an even greater role. ForWhen asked whether the general audience is sufficiently aware this, we need to foster an ecosystem which encourages innova- about what sustainability really is about, she shares that, for-tion, builds trust, protects IP, attracts and unlocks investmenttunately, concern about sustainability, climate change and the and develops a coherent EU life sciences and biotechnologypreservation of biodiversity is on the increase. Nevertheless, strategy. EuropaBio calls on the EUs new political leadership tofinding solutions can be complex with numerous variables to be bold and decisive in its decision making, fostering innovativetake into consideration, so its inevitable that at times there will biotechnology to benefit people and the planet. be a real disconnect between the perception versus the reality of 36IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'