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4 Objectives and policy options This section will make a bridge between the EU-level problem analysis and the policy actions that can be envisaged by the EU. In making this bridge, we will follow the step-by-step approach as indicated in the EU Impact Assessment Guidelines90. We will revisit the barriers and problems, with the aim to prioritise and structure these, allowing for a distinction between general and specific problems (Section 4.1). Subsequently, we will provide an overview of objectives that can be considered suitable for further scrutiny (Section 4.2) A preliminary analysis of the specific objectives is presented in the following sections, each including a number of operational objectives/policy actions (Sections 4.3- 4.6). Building on the options proposed in the Terms of Reference, we then elaborate 4 policy options, each including a number of the above policy actions (Section 4.7). 4.1 Revisiting the barriers and problems Within the context of the project three fundamental sources are being used to identify objectives and the underlying problems and barriers, these are:  Literature review and desk-based research;   Stakeholder information provided via the international workshop; and Stakeholder information provided via the public consultation. In Table 3.9 an overview of barriers relevant for the future development of Blue Biotechnology common to all sub-sectors is presented. Additional considerations are 1) whether these problems considered important by stakeholders, (based on information from the international workshop and the EU consultation)? and 2) whether the EU is positioned to address these barriers? This leads to Table 4.1, which includes minor reformulation of specific problems to better fit the evolving insights. Table 4.1 Review of barriers and problems to marine biotechnology common to all sub-sectors Type of barrier Specific problems Important for stakeholders?91 (1 = none, 5 = very) Coordination / collaboration / cooperation A platform oriented connection of infrastructures is still lacking and only few centres of excellence have been initiated Fragmented approach to marine biotechnology research, infrastructures and effort in Europe Lack of cooperation between research, SMEs and upscale businesses Lack of common projects Finance Low investment in R&D especially in industry sectors viewed subjectively as un-alluring in comparison to pharmaceuticals industry. Access to finance is problematic as few investors are keen to take risks in new technological 90 European Commission, 2009, Impact Assessment Guidelines http://ec.europa.eu/smartregulation/impact/commission_guidelines/docs/iag_2009_en.pdf 91 Results of both the international workshop and the EU survey have been taken into consideration 5 Scope for EU action? (1 = none, 5 = yes) 5 5 5 5 4 4 5 4 4 5 4 Study in support of Impact Assessment work on Blue Biotechnology 57

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