Brussels, 7 May 2002

Draft Council Conclusions on biotechnology. Report from Industry Working Party on 2 May 2002 to Permanent Representatives Committee. Brussels, 3 May 2002 (document 8396/02 ECO 136 RECH 78).

1. Following the invitation by the Stockholm European Council to the Commission and the Council to examine measures required to utilise the full potential of biotechnology and to strengthen the European biotechnology sector's competitiveness, the Presidency drew up a set of draft Council Conclusions which were examined by the Working Party on Industry.

2. At its meeting on 2 May 2002, the Working Party on Industry reached an agreement on the draft Conclusions set out in the Annex to this report.

2. Under these circumstances, the Permanent Representatives Committee could decide to submit these draft Conclusions for adoption to the Industry/Energy Council on 6-7 June 2002.

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Draft Council conclusions on biotechnology

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

1. RECALLS that the Stockholm European Council has invited the Commission and the Council to examine measures required to utilise the full potential of biotechnology and to strengthen the European biotechnology sector's competitiveness, as a contribution to the objective set at the Lisbon European Council for EU-enterprises' competitiveness;

2. REFERS to the process of thorough reflection that has been conducted since then by the European institutions, as well as the consultation process initiated by the Commission to collect the views of a broad representation of stakeholders;

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3. RECOGNISES the Commission Communication "Life sciences and biotechnology: a strategy for Europe" as a useful basis for a balanced, coherent and effective framework that is necessary to enable the Union to exploit the full potential of biotechnology while taking due account of societal values and concerns;

4. UNDERLINES the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses all issues relevant to the responsible development of biotechnology in Europe;

5. REFERS to the need for greater coherence of the many policies that are pursued at Community, national and regional level that affect the development of biotechnology in Europe;

6. INVITES the Commission, in accordance with the Barcelona European Council's conclusions, to closely cooperate with the Council establishing an operational road-map of practical measures based on the Commission Communication for a Strategy and Action Plan, focussing on the measures of the greatest importance, clarifying the various actors' responsibilities and setting a timetable for their implementation in order to allow the Council to have an in depth discussion on this issue during the second semester of 2002.

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