We analyze the role of biotechnology in the program of the Spanish Presidency of the EU
From AseBio, we have analyzed the program of the Spanish Presidency and where R&D and biotechnology would be present, with the mission of identifying points on which we can have an impact and work towards achieving tangible and significant advances for the biotechnology sector.
From July 1, 2023, until December 31, Spain assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. With this, our country will have to coordinate the Council's formations and various committees, as well as defend European interests and overcome challenges affecting citizens. This period represents an opportunity to increase Spain's influence in European institutions and directly convey its concerns.
From AseBio, we have analyzed the program of the Spanish Presidency, as well as the areas where R&D and biotechnology are priorities, with the mission of identifying spaces where we can have an impact and work towards achieving tangible and significant advances for the biotechnology sector, which is a driver of economic growth, social well-being, committed to the sustainability of the planet, and one of the transformative agents in the world around us.
The program consists of four priority pillars that will be at the center of the Spanish Presidency:
- Reindustrialize the European Union and guarantee its open strategic autonomy.
- Advance the ecological transition and environmental adaptation.
- Promote greater social and economic justice.
- Strengthen European unity.
These four priorities are developed through 10 lines of action, of which we highlight the ones focused on Competitiveness, Environment, Health, and Energy.
The Competitiveness line emphasizes that for the European Union to continue being a source of economic and social prosperity for its citizens, it is imperative to promote reindustrialization and improve the competitiveness of the European business fabric, safeguarding and deepening the internal market.
One of the focuses of this line is Research and Innovation. Through this, efforts are made to strengthen research and innovation ecosystems and promote initiatives to develop this theme at all territorial levels.
The role of research and innovation in the policy-making process in democratic societies will be strengthened. In this regard, it is worth noting that actions will be taken to reach a consensus on science in the process of formulating public policies, strengthen regional and local innovation ecosystems in territorial cohesion, and assess the impact of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Mechanism on R&D&I policies and sectoral policies, with the aim of consolidating a European Research Area.
The Employment, Social Policy, Health, and Consumer line includes a Health section with three priorities. One of these priorities seeks to align the European health agenda with the 2030 Agenda and the One Health approach. In addition, progress will be made in the creation of a European Health Data Space, and attention will be given to the culture of prevention.
In the Environment line, achieving Zero Pollution will be a priority of the Spanish Presidency. Therefore, progress will be made in the transition to a circular economy model with waste reduction (especially plastics) as the backbone.
Finally, the Agriculture and Fisheries line includes an Agriculture section that declares that the promotion of new technologies will enable the European Union to be at the forefront of all technological and innovation fields related to the agri-food sector, including new genomic techniques.
You can find the complete information through the following link: https://spanish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/