Stakeholder consultation by the Rapporteur Mr Rogier VAN Der SANDE (NL/ALDE - EDUC) - Montesquieu Instituut

The Committee of the Regions is drafting an opinion on the Communication by the European Commission proposing a Strategy for "Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe", COM(2012) 60 final.

As the world population is growing and natural resources are becoming scarcer, Europe needs a shift towards greater and more sustainable use of renewable resources and transition from a fossil-based to a bio-society with research and innovation. The Bioeconomy is a key element for smart and green growth and makes an important contribution to the EU2020 objectives.

The Rapporteur on the opinion, Mr Rogier Van Der SANDE (NL/ALDE), Member of the CoR and Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Zuid-Holland, would be happy to meet with representatives of local and regional association, bioeconomy experts from the private and public sector and other stakeholders for a consultation and an exchange of views on this opinion.

The consultation will take place on:

Friday 15 June, 14.30 - 16.30

At the premises of the Committee of the Regions

(Rue Belliard 99-101, B-1040 Brussels)

Room JDE 61

After a short introduction, stakeholders and experts are invited to present their views. The Rapporteur would also be very glad to receive your written comments, in English or Dutch, before the meeting or by June 22nd.

The consultation will focus on the points and questions raised in the working document. The document will address the following issues which should serve as a starting point for the debate or for your contributions:

The working definition for the bioeconomy.

Recommendations and instruments on issues hindering the transition to a bio-economy.

Fundamental policy questions related to proposed governance structure for bio-based clusters and networks.

Addressing the important value chains of the bio-economy and the role for local and regional actors.

In addition, if you have any position papers relevant to the subject, you are welcome to send them in English or Dutch to us by email to the addresses below, by June 22nd.

The meeting will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation allowing you to speak in English, Dutch and French, while listening in English and Dutch. Please note that the mother tongue of the rapporteur is Dutch.

For more information, please contact our team:

For the EDUC Commission: Ms Elisa Boelman, Tel: + 32 2 282 2273

For Relations with stakeholders: Mr Peter Verlinden, Tel: +32 2 282 2170

Please note that the CoR will not provide paper copies of the documents for the meeting, in an effort to reduce paper waste.