65

9. Regulatory framework: key to future growth Regulatory issues are key to the future growth of the Blue Biotechnology sector. There is currently a lot of uncertainty which needs to be addressed and it is important to ensure the EU is engaged with the global level discussion that is taking place. The ABS (access and benefit sharing) issue in Blue Biotechnology is unique and requires further clarification and action by the EU. 10. Let’s make smart use of the platforms and initiatives that we have There are a number of platforms and initiatives in Europe which should be utilised, strengthened and supported before new measures are considered. 3.2 Network, cluster and policy analysis At European level, the importance of exploiting marine bioresources is recognised by its presence in Framework Programme 7 (FP7) and in Horizon 2020, and as one pillar of the Blue Growth strategy. Other documents that have had a strong input into Europe’s approach to marine biotechnology or that encapsulate the recent or current status of marine biotechnology include the European Marine Board’s Position Paper 1567 and its more recent paper on Marine Biodiversity68, the Scoping paper of the Knowledge Based Bio-Economy Network`s (KBBE-NET) high-level coordinated working group on marine biotechnology69, and the outputs of the Coordination and Support Action CSA MarineBiotech70. They are part of a continuum of growing interest in the potential of this sector for sustainable growth based on renewable bioresources, and they reinforce the strategic areas that are feasible for SMEs to focus on. 3.2.1 FP6, FP7 and Horizon 2020 The European Union has been and is supporting the improvement of knowledge, human potential and infrastructure for underpinning the development of marine biotechnology throughout Europe and beyond. The EU's actions in the field have a structuring effect and aim at ensuring that Europe remains one of the key players in this rapidly evolving and very promising field of science and technology. The EU’s Framework Programmes for Research FP6 and FP7 have funded key research into marine biotechnology focusing on science policy, coordination, infrastructures and support of marine biotechnology. Due to the complex nature of marine biotechnology and its applications, research funding can be found in a variety of different funding areas and measures. However, our analysis of the dedicated marine biotechnology projects financed by the FP6 and FP7 of the European Union reveal that projects are found only in a small range of funding categories and topics, despite the potential for marine biotechnology to have been included in a much broader range of programmes. The Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) Under FP6 nine projects (see Annex 10 for an inventory of FP6 projects) could be specifically affiliated to marine biotechnology representing a funding volume of approximately EUR 40,178,604. These projects comprise specific support actions, SME collaboration projects, one ERA net and one Marie-Curie project and classical research projects; the latter making up EUR 36 million. In 67 Marine Biotechnology: a vision and strategy for Europe Sept 2010 European Marine Board http://www.marineboard.eu/images/publications/Marine%20Biotechnology-37.pdf 68 Marine Biodiversity: A Science roadmap for Europe September 2012 European Marine Board http://www.marineboard.eu/images/publications/Marine%20Biodiversity-122.pdf 69 Background and recommendations on future actions for integrated marine biotechnology R&D in Europe October 2009 CWGMB http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/pdf/cwg-mb_to_kbbenet_report_final.pdf 70 Marine Biotechnology R&D in Europe Strategic Analysis February 2013 http://www.marinebiotech.eu/images/Public_reports/Marine%20Biotechnology%20RTDI%20in%20Europe.pdf Study in support of Impact Assessment work on Blue Biotechnology 41

66 Publizr Home