Several European Technology Platforms contribute to setting common research priorities, in fields such as plant genomics and biotechnology, forestry and forest based industries, global animal health, farm animal breeding, food and industrial biotechnology.

Several European Technology Platforms contribute to setting common research priorities, in fields such as plant genomics and biotechnology, forestry and forest based industries, global animal health, farm animal breeding, food and industrial biotechnology.

21. is of the opinion that the impact of biotechnology on the economics of production of and trade in agricultural products must be assessed in a broad manner, including the possible effects on non-biotech agri-food production, the possible impact of biotechnology on the economics of current and future non-food production such as biomass and biofuels, bio-degradable packaging, medicinal products, etc.; supports an ambitious European research policy in the area of biofuels and, more generally, biomass use, which is of key importance in the present energy context, allowing the EU to boost its exports and limit its imports in order to impr ...[+++]ove the EU's trade balance;

EFSA will be responsible for scientific assessments of environmental, human and animal health effects of GMOs and GM food and feed, and will have a forward-looking responsibility for identifying emerging risks, including those potentially arising from the application of biotechnology in agri-food production.

The Commission will strengthen and focus Community support for research into socio-economic and ethical issues and dissemination of results, including criteria for assessing the benefits of using biotechnology in agri-food production, to facilitate future reporting and to provide a good basis for societal decisions on the application of biotechnology and life sciences.

42. Considers that in order to prevent centralisation which would render farmers dependent on large food businesses, sufficient publicly funded research must be ensured, RD by small biotechnology enterprises and by plant-breeding institutes must be supported, and maximum competitiveness must be maintained at the various stages in the food chain;