Press release

Five policy asks for a strong European bioeconomy

Brussels, 16 November 2017

On the occasion of the EU Bioeconomy Policy Day and of the release of the “Staff Working Document on the review of the 2012 European Bioeconomy Strategy”, the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) calls for an ambitious revision of the 2012 EU Bioeconomy Strategy and for a time-bound and measurable Action Plan.

EUBA members, representing key stakeholders along the bioeconomy value chains, today propose a set of policy recommendations for the upcoming revision of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and related Action Plan. In its “Policy asks for the bioeconomy strategy revision” ,it calls for concrete measures and long-term support for sustainably-produced biomass, fostering investment and market development.

European policymakers must fully recognise and help achieve the potential of the bioeconomy if Europe is to become a global leader in this field. The bioeconomy is already worth €2 trillion annually and employs 22 million Europeans. In a stable investment and policy environment, it will boost competitiveness and long-term economic growth and contribute to over-arching goals such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The bioeconomy is key to a truly circular economy.

The EUBA document  outlines what needs to be done at EU level to create a strong framework to support investments throughout the value chains, and enhance EU-grown biomass mobilisation and market access for bio-based products made in EU.

The five policy asks are as follows:

• • Biomass: Circular bioeconomy should be an integral part of EU-level frameworks and policies;
  • Investment: Increase funding and improve coherence of financing mechanisms for the circular bioeconomy;
  • Investment: Secure the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) 2.0;
  • Markets: Incentives for bio-based products in strategic sectors;
  • Markets: Promote bio-based products’ visibility to stimulate market demand.

“The time has come for an ambitiously-revised EU Bioeconomy Strategy and a time-bound well-implemented Action Plan” says Jamie Fortescue, Managing Director of Starch Europe, on behalf of the European Bioeconomy Alliance. “This is of utmost importance to foster investments in EU-grown biomass and biorefineries across Europe.

ENDS

Note to the Editor

The Commission is organising a Bioeconomy Policy Day to present its review of the European Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan, documented as a Staff Working Document, and discuss its findings with stakeholders and policy makers. Furthermore, the European Bioeconomy Stakeholders Panel will present and discuss its Bioeconomy Manifesto, setting out a societal agenda for Bioeconomy development. These discussions will reflect both on the experiences gained over the past four years with Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan, and on the possible need for new actions. Separate parallel sessions will follow immediately after the plenary session chaired by 9 relevant Directorate Generals, the co-signatories of the Bioeconomy Strategy.

European Bioeconomy Alliance
The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) is an informal alliance of leading European organisations representing sectors active in the bioeconomy.

The five policy asks are available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian and Polish

Contact person: Annie Xystouris, a.xystouris@cepi.org, Direct line: 02 627 49 24

Members of the European Bioeconomy Alliance:

• Starch Europe - European Starch Industry Association
• EuropaBio - The European Association for Bioindustries
• CEPI - Confederation of European Paper Industries
• PFP - Primary Food Processors
• EUBP - European Bioplastics
• CEPF - Confederation of European Forest Owners
• FTP - Forest-based Sector Technology Platform
• ePURE - European Renewable Ethanol Producers Association
• CEFS - European Association of Sugar Producers
• FEDIOL - The EU Vegetable Oil & Proteinmeal Industry
• COPA and COGECA - European Farmers and European Agri-Cooperatives
• BIC - Bio-based Industries Consortium

Link to EUBA press release: Five policy asks for a strong European bioeconomy