In Belgium, the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EBA) has called for bioeconomy development to be set as a priority in the European Commission’s new €315 billion investment plan as well as in national and regional measures. The group is calling for more predictability in policies that will lead to a long-term strategy for a competitive, dynamic, and sustainable bioeconomy in Europe, including the following four policy developments:
- Implement priority recommendations from the Lead Market Initiative[1] on bio-based products. This will not only create new markets and jobs but also stimulate economic recovery, focusing on: access to feedstock, research, development and innovation, access to markets, public procurement and communication.
- Encourage member states to implement measures to i) increase agricultural and forestry productivity and soil fertility in a sustainable way and ii) facilitate mobilisation and access to renewable feedstock at competitive prices.
- Address barriers to investment in first commercial operations, such as biorefineries in Europe. The Public Private Partnership on Bio-based Industries is a first step in the right direction and should facilitate and catalyse other European and national and regional financing sources.
- Engage with civil society, together with farmers, forest owners and industry, to encourage the debate on shaping a more competitive, sustainable bioeconomy for Europe.
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