According to a new European communication put forth by president Barroso, there is a strong need to specifically promote the development of life-sciences and biotechnology in the EU, in particular by increasing research and promoting competitiveness. In a mid-term review of the Strategy on Life-Sciences and Biotechnology 2002–2010 a refocus of actions has been proposed to promote a competitive and sustainable European knowledge based bio-economy. The European Research Centre has produced a relevant study called Bio4EU that recommends the following: 

• promote research and market development for bio-based products and improve the uptake of new technologies;
• foster competitiveness by facilitating knowledge transfer and innovation from the science base to industry;
• encourage informed societal debates on the benefits and risk of life sciences and biotechnology;
• emphasize a sustainable contribution of modern biotechnology to agriculture and use plant science for energy and environment applications;
• improve the implementation of the legislation and its impact on competitiveness by removing administrative burdens.

Life-science and biotechnology strategy