Biotech Industry Supports Common Security Market For Bio-Preparedness

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Also Included In: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism
Article Date: 15 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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EuropaBio, the European Association for Bio-Industries, welcomes the conclusions from the STACCATO(1) workshop on Bio-Preparedness. Approximately 100 experts in the field of bio-safety and bio-security met with the European Commission DG Health and Consumer Protection and DG Justice, Freedom and Security in Brussels on 13 February 2008 to discuss the next steps on Bio-Preparedness and possible future public/private partnerships with the biotech industry.

"This workshop was an opportunity to identify issues across the supply chain and also highlight the prospects for a common security market, while making clear the need for EU standards. Hearing about European and international programmes on Bio-Preparedness from experts at the workshop was highly valuable for us," said STACCATO coordinator Gloria Martini, from ASD - The Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe.

During the conference the EU presented the results of the stakeholders' consultation on the Green Paper on Bio-Preparedness(2). "The risk of bioterrorism has been low, while the consequences could be devastating and could affect several member states. We should not focus only on terrorism, but we also need to look at generic preparedness and take into consideration all threats and we need to be prepared to handle all crises. Much has already been done, but more is needed," said Jan-Peter Paul, Adviser to the Deputy Director General responsible for economic analysis from DG Health & Consumer Protection.

A first step towards a common market is to map all the competences that can be found in Europe and EuropaBio and its partners are developing the STACCATO database at the EU Commission to track and identify organizations who could be potential suppliers to the defence industry (http://www.asd-europe.org).

"EuropaBio is pleased to contribute to the discussion on Bio-preparedness and supports the EU Commission in the efforts to create a common security market," said Andrea Rappagliosi, Chairman of EuropaBio's Healthcare Council. He continued, "Following the workshop, EuropaBio will expand the network of bio-safety and bio-security experts and develop its cooperation with law enforcement authorities by taking part in the DG Justice, Freedom and Security's Annual Work Programme 2008, Prevention and Fight against Crime."

Notes:

(1) STACCATO - Stakeholders Platform for Supply Chain Mapping market Conditions Analysis & Technologies Opportunities - is a European project funded by the European Commission under the Preparatory Action for Security Research. The project aims at proposing methods and solutions for the creation of a security market and a structured supply chain in Europe by identifying implementation measures. The project is mapping existing competencies in the EU-27, highlighting the role of SMEs in order to integrate their innovation potential and examine ways to undertake a coordination of the European Security and Technological Industrial Base (STIB), proposing a methodology for technological watch, and analyzing the condition and propose recommendations to develop a common European Security Equipment Market (ESEM) by identifying common needs, taking into account regulatory issues and coordination with regional, national, international and EU security research programmes.

(2) In July 2007, the European Commission adopted a Green paper on bio-preparedness. The aim of the paper was to stimulate a debate and launch a process of consultation at European level on how to reduce biological risks, and to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2007/com2007_0399en01.pdf

About EuropaBio

EuropaBio is the European Association for Bioindustries, solely and uniquely bringing together bioscience companies from all fields of research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products. It has 87 corporate members operating worldwide, 8 associate members, 6 BioRegions and 25 national biotechnology associations representing some 1800 small and medium sized enterprises involved in research. Its mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic biotechnology-based industry in Europe.

EuropaBio was asked by the European Commission in November 2005 to explore setting up a European Task Force on Bioterrorism in order to coordinate industry & national initiatives, and to create synergies at the EU & International levels. Our main objectives are to ensure and to improve the European capacity to respond to bio-threats by stimulating the Biosecurity market and by developing public/private partnerships at the National, European & International levels.

http://www.europabio.org