The biotechnology industry in Europe is dynamic and growing fast. No wonder that the mood during EuropaBio's Second Annual European Biotechnology Congress in Brussels was one of
excitement and optimism, despite current inadequate and cumbersome EU legislation. Here are some of the conclusions from three days of discussions among the 650 participants to what was easily the main European biotech event of the year: Growth: European biotechnology is developing fast and the number of biotech companies (mainly SMEs) and biotech-related jobs is growing rapidly chart on request).

Regional Clusters:
Business action, job and wealth creation are particularly dynamic at local level, in a number of
regional clusters (examples: Cambridge, Flanders, Bavaria). Targeted governmental and institutional efforts and workforce training create the right environment for people with a clear vision and entrepreneurial spirit.

Financing European biotechnology:
The general feeling was that European industries should benefit more from tax incentives, rather than rely too much on 'soft money' or (public) subsidies.

Science and Technology:
1) Insights and tools generated in the humane genome programme will soon enable us to get a
better understanding of the important role of the genetic components underlying diseases and the
response to drugs.
2) Agricultural production is being transformed extremely fast, with up to 40 million hectares of
transgenic crops world wide this year (100 % increase since 1997). However, it is disconcerting
to see that Europe is conspicuously lagging behind in this field.

Bio-ethics:
The launch of EuropaBio's Core Ethical Values, provides a set of common standards to all its
members and guidance where no legal requirements exist as yet. As biotechnology is innovative and advancing rapidly, these Core Ethical Values may be expanded or reviewed regularly to address new issues.

Regulation:
European regulation is far behind advances in technology. In particular Directive 90/220 (relating
to the commercialisation of products containing or comprising GMOs) continues to damage Europe's agricultural and industrial competitiveness and prevents citizens of Europe to benefit from biotechnology.

Communication:
In order to gain public acceptance, a greater effort is required from the European biotech industry to clearly explain the benefits of GMO foods and of biotechnology at large to consumers' organisations and to the general public. The Swiss referendum showed it can be done. As one of the guest speakers to the Congress put it: "Public perception is political reality; public concern leads to political reaction."

It was announced that EuropaBio's Third Annual European Biotechnology Congress will be held in
Munich (Germany) from 16 to 19 November 1999.

EuropaBio represents 45 multinational operating corporate members and 14 national associations
(totalling around 600 SMEs) involved in research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products. EuropaBio, the voice of European bioindustries,
aims to be a promoting force for biotechnology and to present its proposals to industry, politicians, regulators, NGOs, and the public at large.

EuropaBio news release
N1458