Search results

The paper gives an overview of the general regulatory framework relevant for the food industry in the EU and USA, as well as some information on the character of innovations in the food chain. In a second step three very innovative fields in the food industry are analysed whether the existing regulatory framework has hindering or facilitating impacts on innovations: the use of genetic engineering, health-oriented Functional Foods and organic food products. Empirical results among a survey of EU food manufacturing firms are presented which assess the current framework in the EU and its impact on innovation activities. The paper concludes with some remarks about the role of regulations for R&D and marketing of new products in the food industry.

This paper analyses the future pipeline of agricultural GMOs in the EU. For this purpose a methodological set was used, consisting of reviewing scientific literature and reports, analysis of databases on field trials and product approvals with GMOs, a questionnaire-based survey as well as expert interviews in the EU. 80 % of the identified GMO-related projects in the laboratory phase are carried out in GM plants with a huge variety of crops and traits tested. More than 60 % of these projects are carried out by public research institutions often focussing on activities in an early stage of development. In the field trial phase, large multinational companies are responsible for 65 % of the field trial notifications, mainly focussing on the modification of resistance traits in major agricultural crops in the EU (maize, oilseed rape, sugar beet). The uncertain legal situation related to GMOs, unclear implementation and control schemes as well as uncertain market perspectives due to limited consumer and user acceptance of GMOs are regarded as major constraints for future commercialisation of such products in the EU. Based on the current phase of development, three groups of agricultural GM products are defined with differing time perspectives for potential commercialisation. Finally, the paper derives conclusions for policy activities as well as further research needs.

Seit Mitte der 90er Jahre hat sich die Gründung von Biotechnologieunternehmen in Deutschland erheblich beschleunigt. Auch von seiten der Politik und Wirtschaft wird die Biotechnologie zunehmend als eine der wichtigsten Schlüsseltechnologien für das 21. Jahrhundert gesehen, der für zukünftige Innovationen eine essentielle Bedeutung zukommt. Daher erhebt sich die Frage nach der Nachhaltigkeit dieser Entwicklung und den Erfolgschancen der neu gegründeten Biotechnologieunternehmen. Im vorliegenden Buch wird die Problemlage junger, kleiner und mittelständischer Biotechnologieunternehmen in Deutschland empirisch untersucht. Außerdem werden wirtschaftspolitisch relevante Handlungsempfehlungen für die Gestaltung der Rahmenbedingungen zur Lösung der identifizierten Probleme abgeleitet.