Brussels, 8 September 2026 - EuropaBio welcomes the publication of the Commission's new Strategic Approach to Research and Innovation for agriculture and food systems. The strategy sends a strong signal that biotechnology is now recognised as a core enabler of Europe's agri-food future, supporting competitiveness, sustainability, resilience and food security. With references spanning agriculture, food systems, the bioeconomy and health, the strategy reflects a growing recognition of the contribution life sciences can make to addressing Europe's economic and societal challenges.

The strategy also places welcome emphasis on closing Europe's innovation and scale-up gap. By focusing on startups and scale-ups, pilot and demonstration facilities, technology transfer, biomanufacturing and commercialisation pathways, the Commission acknowledges that Europe must do more to turn scientific excellence into industrial leadership and market-ready solutions.

EuropaBio particularly welcomes the strategic attention given to advanced fermentation. The recognition of fermentation as a key technology for the bioeconomy, together with plans to support pilot and demonstration-scale bioprocessing infrastructure, is an important step toward strengthening domestic production of critical ingredients such as vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and other fermentation-derived products that contribute to Europe's food security, strategic autonomy and secure supply chains.

The strategy further acknowledges the importance of science-based innovation governance, including stronger risk assessment methodologies, collaboration with risk assessment authorities and the use of regulatory sandboxes. These elements, together with the delivery of complementary initiatives such as the Biotech Acts, will be essential to ensure that innovative solutions can be developed, scaled and commercialised in Europe while maintaining the highest standards of safety and consumer confidence.

Dr. Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio, said: "The strategy recognises that biotech is core to Europe's agri-food framework. It is explicitly referenced as an enabler through all stages of sustainable food production, and a delivery mechanism for secure supply chains."