The Dutch government communicated its mission in the Cabinet Vision on Biotechnology 2025-2040, which outlined the country’s goal for advancing the biotech industry in the Netherlands and its ambition of belonging to the global leading group in this space by 2040.
The government said it is “essential” that the Netherlands and Europe drive innovations to the market more quickly. To do so, it is looking at removing national heads and the possibility of regulation-free test gardens at a national level and in Europe. Consequently, the Netherlands and Europe have the possibility of being less dependent on other countries and remaining competitive on a global scale.
“In a changing world, we as the Netherlands want to be among the global leaders in research, development and application of biotechnology,” the document stated.
“Biotechnology contributes to the social objectives we have in the field of health, circular economy and food production. We use our government instruments in the field of innovation and valorization more specifically for this and we are committed to a future-oriented and resilient regulatory framework in the Netherlands and Europe.”
The $1.5 billion injection from the government over the coming years will be deployed through projects in the National Growth Fund (NGF). The vision outlined how a more targeted use of this, other resources, and the investigation of scope in current legislation and regulations can aid the position of the Netherlands in the short term. In the long term, the cabinet is identifying potential financial incentive possibilities.
The cabinet vision was formally presented to the House of Representatives in a letter jointly signed by various ministers.