SAPEA brought experts together from across Europe to priovide extensive support to the SAM High Level Group for an Explanatory Note on New techniques in Agricultural Biotechnology. The Explanatory Note was published on Friday 28 April 2017, in response to a request from the College of Commissioners led by Commissioner Andriukaitis.
The Explanatory Note provides a detailed scientific description of the full spectrum of breeding techniques used for agricultural applications in plants, animals and microorganisms. The Note draws on existing scientific reviews, opinions and reports. It explains and compares conventional breeding techniques, established techniques of genetic modification and new techniques, and will feed into a broad reflection on how the EU can benefit from innovation in the food and agricultural sector while ensuring a high level protection of human and animal health and environment.
The following SAPEA experts participated in the work on this topic:
Professor Alain Boudet, nominated by the National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
Professor Paul Hooykaas, nominated by The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)
Professor Peter Ruhdal Jensen, nominated by European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC)
Professor Heiner Niemann, nominated by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
Professor Joachim Schiemann, nominated by European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC)
The scoping paper for this topic is available to download from the Scientific Advice Mechanism website.
Find out more about other SAPEA topics.
