EuropaBio
Encyclopedia
EuropaBio is Europe's largest and most influential biotech industry group, whose members include Monsanto
, Bayer
and other biotechnology
companies. The organisation was initiated in 1996 to represent the interests of the biotechnology
industry at European level and therefore influence legislation that serves the interests of biotechnology companies in Europe.
and contribute to the creation of legislation
for bioindustries. It ensures a steady flow of information about biotechnology to the European Parliament
, the European Commission
and the Council of Ministers.
EuropaBio represents the three traditional sectors of the biotech industry.
EuropaBio:
EuropaBio's primary focus is the European Union
but because of the global character of the biotech business, it also represents its members in transatlantic and worldwide fora.
The association policy goals are:
company working for EuropaBio claimed that a number of well known public figures had expressed interest in the ambassadorial positions. They include Sir Bob Geldof; the chancellor of Oxford University and BBC Trust
chairman, Lord Patten
; former Irish EU commissioner and attorney general
David Byrne, and "potentially" the involvement of former UN secretary general Kofi Annan
. The pro-GM science writer Mark Lynas
was also approached. The PR firm will research, write, and then place articles but with attribution assigned to the various ambassadors. The firm will also arrange interviews and speaking engagements with international media, as well as speaking slots at major conferences. EuropaBio intends to introduce the ambassadors to high-level European bureaucrats
and MEPs
in with the goal of making a stronger case for GM within EU institutions.
Board Member, was appointed for two years as Chair of the Board, prior to that the appointment was held by Dr. Andrea Rappagliosi (GlaxoSmithKline
).
The Board is assisted by sectoral councils representing the main segments of EuropaBio - healthcare (red biotech), industrial (white biotech) and agriculture (green biotech).
Experts from member companies and national associations participate in EuropaBio's working groups which cover a very wide range of issues and areas of concern of biotech enterprises.
EuropaBio Secretary General is Mrs Nathalie Moll.
Through the national associations, EuropaBio represents 1800 small and medium-sized enterprises.
Monsanto
The Monsanto Company is a US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation. It is the world's leading producer of the herbicide glyphosate, marketed in the "Roundup" brand of herbicides, and in other brands...
, Bayer
Bayer
Bayer AG is a chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in Barmen , Germany in 1863. It is headquartered in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and well known for its original brand of aspirin.-History:...
and other biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
companies. The organisation was initiated in 1996 to represent the interests of the biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
industry at European level and therefore influence legislation that serves the interests of biotechnology companies in Europe.
Activity and goals
EuropaBio is engaged in dialogue with the European institutionsInstitutions of the European Union
The European Union is governed by seven institutions. Article 13 of Treaty on European Union lists them in the following order: the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European...
and contribute to the creation of legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
for bioindustries. It ensures a steady flow of information about biotechnology to the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
, the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
and the Council of Ministers.
EuropaBio represents the three traditional sectors of the biotech industry.
- White or industrial biotechnologyIndustrial biotechnologyIndustrial biotechnology is the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including manufacturing, alternative energy , and biomaterials. It includes the practice of using cells or components of cells like enzymes to generate industrially useful products...
is the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including manufacturing, alternative energy (or "bioenergy") biofuels, and biomaterials. - Red or healthcare biotechnologyBiopharmaceuticalBiopharmaceuticals are medical drugs produced using biotechnology. They include proteins , nucleic acids and living microorganisms like virus and bacteria where the virulence of viruses and bacteria is reduced by the process of attenuation, they can be used for therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic...
is the application of biotechnology for the production of medicines and therapies. - Green or agrifood biotechnology is a collection of technologies using plant organisms and plant cells for the production or transformation of food, biomaterials and energy.
EuropaBio:
- promotes an innovative and dynamic biotechnology-based industry in Europe,
- advocates free and open markets and the removal of barriers to competitiveness with other areas of the world,
- is committed to an open, informed dialogue with all stakeholders about the ethical, social and economic aspects of biotechnology and its applications and
- champions the responsible use of biotechnology to ensure that its potential is fully used to the benefit of humans and their environment.
EuropaBio's primary focus is the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
but because of the global character of the biotech business, it also represents its members in transatlantic and worldwide fora.
The association policy goals are:
- the Policy Coherence Goal - Building policy consistency and predictable rules for all biotech sectors.
- the Regulatory Goal - Improving the European regulatory environment for biotechnology.
- the IPR Goal - Protecting Europe’s intellectual property – promoting a robust regime.
- the Finance Goal - Funding the future – ensuring financing for Young Innovative Companies.
- the Awareness Goal - Bridging the gap – building public awareness of the benefits of biotech.
- the Research Goal - Supporting research excellence.
- the Access Goal - patients and consumers have the right to fair and equitable access to the products and services issued from biotechnology.
Mission
- EuropaBio's mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic biotechnology-based industry in Europe.
- The organization advocates free and open markets and the removal of barriers to competitiveness with other areas of the world.
- EuropaBio is committed to an open, informed dialogue with all stakeholders about the ethical, social and economic aspects of biotechnology and its applications.
- And it also champions the responsible use of biotechnology to ensure that its potential is fully used to the benefit of humans and their environment.
Transforming Europe’s position on GM food
EuropaBio believes there is "an urgent need to reshape the terms of the debate about GM in Europe." In an effort to transform European policy relating to the production and distribution of genetically modified foods within the EU, EuropaBio has proposed the creation of an "outreach program." This entails recruiting high profile "ambassadors" in an effort to sway opinion on GM policy by lobbying European leaders directly. A public relationsPublic relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
company working for EuropaBio claimed that a number of well known public figures had expressed interest in the ambassadorial positions. They include Sir Bob Geldof; the chancellor of Oxford University and BBC Trust
BBC Trust
The BBC Trust is the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It is operationally independent of BBC management and external bodies, and aims to act in the best interests of licence fee payers....
chairman, Lord Patten
Lord Patten
Lord Patten may refer to:* Chris Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, UK Conservative politician, former Secretary of State for the Environment, former Governor of Hong Kong, and former European Commission|European Commissioner...
; former Irish EU commissioner and attorney general
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
David Byrne, and "potentially" the involvement of former UN secretary general Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
. The pro-GM science writer Mark Lynas
Mark Lynas
Mark Lynas is a British author, journalist and environmental activist who focuses on climate change. He is a contributor to New Statesman, Ecologist, Granta and Geographical magazines, and The Guardian and The Observer newspapers in the UK; he also worked on the film The Age of Stupid...
was also approached. The PR firm will research, write, and then place articles but with attribution assigned to the various ambassadors. The firm will also arrange interviews and speaking engagements with international media, as well as speaking slots at major conferences. EuropaBio intends to introduce the ambassadors to high-level European bureaucrats
Bureaucrat
A bureaucrat is a member of a bureaucracy and can comprise the administration of any organization of any size, though the term usually connotes someone within an institution of a government or corporation...
and MEPs
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
in with the goal of making a stronger case for GM within EU institutions.
Organisation
EuropaBio has a board of management made up of representatives from among its industry members. In June 2011, Dr. Stephan Tanda, Royal DSMDSM (company)
DSM is a multinational life sciences and materials sciences-based company. DSM's global end markets include food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials...
Board Member, was appointed for two years as Chair of the Board, prior to that the appointment was held by Dr. Andrea Rappagliosi (GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
).
The Board is assisted by sectoral councils representing the main segments of EuropaBio - healthcare (red biotech), industrial (white biotech) and agriculture (green biotech).
Experts from member companies and national associations participate in EuropaBio's working groups which cover a very wide range of issues and areas of concern of biotech enterprises.
EuropaBio Secretary General is Mrs Nathalie Moll.
Members
In September 2010, the association represents 66 corporate members operating worldwide, 7 associate members, 4 BioRegions and 22 national biotechnology associations.Through the national associations, EuropaBio represents 1800 small and medium-sized enterprises.
See also
- CropLife InternationalCropLife InternationalCropLife International is an international federation of agricultural biotechnology companies. It was previously known as Global Crop Protection Federation and International Group of National Associations of Manufacturers of Agrochemical Products....
- European Federation of BiotechnologyEuropean Federation of BiotechnologyThe European Federation of Biotechnology is a non-profit association of Learned Societies, Universities, Institutes, Companies and Individuals who are interested in the promotion of Biotechnology throughout Europe and also beyond. The EFB organization was established by European scientists in 1978...
(EFB) - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and AssociationsEuropean Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and AssociationsEuropean Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations is a Brussels-based trade union founded in 1978 representing the research-based pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe....
(EFPIA) - Genetically modified food controversiesGenetically modified food controversiesThe genetically modified foods controversy is a dispute over the relative advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified food crops and other uses of genetically-modified organisms in food production. The dispute involves biotechnology companies, governmental regulators, non-governmental...
- International trade of genetically modified foodsInternational trade of genetically modified foodsThe European Union and the United States have strong disagreements over the EU's regulation of genetically modified food. The US claims these regulations violate free trade agreements, the EU counter-position is that free trade is not truly free without informed consent.In Europe, a series of...
- MON 863
- Regulation of the release of genetic modified organismsRegulation of the release of genetic modified organismsThe regulation of genetic engineering concerns the approaches taken by governments to assess the risks associated with the use of genetic engineering technology and the development and release of genetically modified organisms...