Brussels 11 February, 2010

EuropaBio welcomes the official appointment of the Barroso II Commission. With the Lisbon Treaty now ratified, new leaders chosen and the new executive in place, the College and its Cabinets will inherit a policy agenda with numerous heavy dossiers related to agriculture, the environment, research and innovation, healthcare, energy, trade and the bio-based economy.

During its mandate this Commission will need to introduce solutions to deal with the ongoing global economic crisis, the threat of climate change, the growing needs of our aging population and our energy and food security.

“EuropaBio represents thriving Pharmaceutical, Agricultural, Chemical and Biochemical industries providing European solutions to global problems” said Willy De Greef, Secretary General for EuropaBio “We look forward to establishing a dynamic and productive dialogue on these issues with the new Commission and to harnessing the benefits and potential of Biotech to further improve the quality of life of Europeans”.

EuropaBio and its members are committed to delivering excellence in research and innovation across Europe. We aim to produce products of value for European citizens through open dialogue and exchange of ideas and solutions with the European Institutions, Member States and stakeholders.

EuropaBio seeks from the Barroso II Commission that:

-For Healthcare Biotech there is an ongoing effort to dialogue with stakeholders, in the form of a continuation of the High Level Pharmaceutical Forum, to ensure the development of concrete measures which give patients access to innovative medicines and which at the same time reward innovation and stimulate the biotech industry in Europe

-For Industrial Biotech a holistic, integrated policy for the biobased economy in Europe is developed and implemented, incorporating policy on research and innovation, agriculture and rural development, environment, climate action, industry, and trade by 2020

-For Agricultural Biotech European farmers are given the freedom to choose whether or not to cultivate GM crops, and consumers are given the possibility to choose safe and beneficial GM products. In addition, that Europe remains a knowledge-base for a strong and competitive agricultural sector with access to all innovative tools that can help contribute to sustainable agriculture and combat climate change

For further information, please contact

Willy De Greef Secretary General, EuropaBio

Tel: +32 2 739 11 71;

Email: w.degreef@europabio.org

Joanna Dupont Inglis Communications Manager, EuropaBio

Tel: +32 2 739 11 84;

Email: j.dupont@europabio.org EuropaBio, is the European Association for Bioindustries, bringing together bioscience companies from all fields of research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products. It has 69 corporate and 7 associated members, 4 BioRegions and 26 national biotechnology associations representing some 1800 small and medium sized enterprises involved in research