National Strategy for Biotechnology 2011–2020

This strategy for biotechnology has its origin in the Government’s white paper on research, Climate for Research, (Report No. 30 (2008-2009) to the Storting) which states that a balanced strategy for basic research, industry-oriented research, innovation activity and commercialisation in the field of biotechnology is to be developed.

• National Strategy for Biotechnology 2011–2020: For the future of value creation, health and the environment (PDF, 1.4 MB)

The Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Health and Care Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of the Environment have drawn up this strategy in cooperation with the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway.

Some of the greatest challenges we face are related to the anticipated increase in the global population by two billion people in the next 20–30 years. All of these people require food, water, energy, and health services, and it is expected that they will have a higher standard of living than what the world’s poor has today. These needs must be met in a sustainable, environment-friendly manner. Biotechnology paves the way to many new opportunities for meeting these challenges.

To realise this potential, this strategy identifies four thematic focus areas in which biotechnology can play a role in addressing social challenges and where Norway has national competitive advantages:

• aquaculture, seafood, and management of the marine environment
• land-based food and biomass production
• environment-friendly industrial processes and products
• health, health services and health-related industries